Idukki:
Two days after over a 100 pilgrims died in a stampede at Idukki, investigators are still not sure about the cause. (
Read: 100 killed,50 injured in Sabarimala stampede)
Was it because the administration was careless about enforcing rules?
With over one lakh pilgrims on this narrow forest path and just 230 policemen manning the unlit, 27-km corridor it seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.
"There were not enough policemen on the stretch and rescue was delayed," said a pilgrim.
Over 90% of Sabarimala pilgrims, especially those from within Kerala avoid the Pulmedu route.
(Read: Another black January 14 for Sabarimala pilgrims)That is perhaps why most of those who died were from other states.
The police say they had warned the crowd but no advisory or alert was issued.
Also, hundreds of vehicles were allowed on this stretch which is part of a tiger reserve and meant to be out of bounds for traffic.
Not only did this trigger off the stampede, it also hindered rescue after the stampede.
But the police say it's not their fault.
"Restricting vehicles to this tiger reserve is the responsibily of the wildlife Department not the police. This was a freak accident that happened due to the peculiar situation prevailing there," said P Chandrashekaran, Additional Director General, Kerala Police.
Police say the Wildlife Department is responsible while the Wildlife guards says the police did not give them any instructions to restrict vehicles. And as the blame game goes on it's the life of the pilgrims that is being put at risk.
The Crime Branch is expected to submit a report to the Government in four days and the Chief Minister has ordered a judicial inquiry.
(Read: Sabarimala stampede: Kerala govt orders judicial probe) But will lessons from this tragedy be taken seriously to avoid a repeat?