In West Bengal, 19 people lost their lives and 25 others were injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata last evening. The incident occurred at around 8 PM, during the Maha Saptami celebrations.
According to media reports, heavy rain and a sudden rush of visitors led to chaos at the crowded pandal. Several people reportedly fell amid the rush, triggering a stampede-like situation. The injured were rushed to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, R-G Kar Medical College and Hospital, and N-R-S Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the state Health Minister and senior government officials visited the hospitals to assess the situation and review the treatment being provided to the injured.
The Chief Minister also announced compensation of 25 lakh rupees and a Group D government job for the family of each deceased person.
Later, speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said police have detained the Durga Puja organisers, private security guards and staff on duty for questioning. Describing the incident as tragic, Mr Adhikari said the administration’s immediate priority was to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. He said, preliminary reports suggest that an announcement made over the loudspeaker by the puja organisers triggered a sudden rush among visitors, leading to the stampede.
The Chief Minister announced that a Special Investigation Team, or SIT, headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, will investigate the stampede at the Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. The SIT will include members of the Special Task Force, the Criminal Investigation Department and other government departments.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Rowdy Section of Kolkata Police has collected CCTV footage from the site of the incident. The Chief Minister said the footage would be examined and strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for failing to manage the crowd. Mr. Adhikari asserted that no one responsible for the lapses would be spared.
The Chorbagan community puja pandal has been closed, and the site has been handed over to forensic experts, the police Special Task Force and the Fire Brigade for investigation. The Chorbagan Durga Puja, which has grown in popularity in recent years, attracts large crowds.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is currently in Kolkata, is monitoring the situation and is in constant touch with the Chief Minister and other senior state officials. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said, all official programmes, including those involving the Union Home Minister, have been postponed in view of the tragedy. Mr Shah was scheduled to visit several Durga Puja pandals today. Union Home Minister said, he will visit the injured in the hospital today.
The Chief Minister urged Durga Puja organisers, particularly those hosting elaborate theme-based celebrations, to ensure adequate lighting and sufficient entry and exit points to prevent overcrowding and ensure public safety. He stressed that human lives must take precedence over decorative themes, as organisers across Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal compete to create increasingly elaborate and attractive pandals.
