Kolkata Stampede Tragedy: Arvind Kejriwal Expresses Grief as 19 Perish
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal expresses grief over the tragic Kolkata Durga Puja stampede that claimed 19 lives. Police arrest 7 organisers.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has expressed his deep sorrow following a devastating Kolkata Durga Puja stampede at the Chorbagan pandal in North Kolkata. The horrific incident, which occurred on Saturday night, resulted in the deaths of 19 people and left numerous others injured.
Kejriwal's Heartfelt Condolences
Taking to the social media platform X, Arvind Kejriwal described the tragedy as "extremely tragic and heart-wrenching." He offered his prayers for the victims and their grieving families, seeking divine strength for those affected by the loss.
"I pray to God that he grants place to the departed souls at his divine feet and provides strength to the bereaved families during this difficult time. I also pray for the swift recovery of all the injured devotees," Kejriwal stated.
Chaos at Chorbagan Sarbojanin Pandal
The disaster unfolded at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, where a massive influx of devotees led to a sudden and uncontrollable rush. The resulting stampede turned a celebration of faith into a scene of carnage, claiming 19 lives and leaving several devotees fighting for their lives in hospitals.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
The Kolkata Police have taken swift legal action following the tragedy. A suo motu case has been registered at the Girish Park Police Station. The charges have been filed under Sections 105, 110, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the event organisers and other responsible parties.
Arrests and Detentions
Authorities have detained 14 individuals for questioning, with seven people already arrested in connection with the lapse in safety and crowd management. Those arrested include:
- Raj Kumar Sewda (alias Raja), 48: Secretary
- Santanu Dubey, 55: Vice President
- Biplab Mukherjee (alias Joy), 48: Responsible for the bamboo structure construction
- Koushik Saha, 53: Tasked with crowd control and VIP pass verification
- Pintu Dey, 51: Involved in crowd control
- Suman Chakraborty, 30: Private security in-charge
- Rajesh Pal, 29: Private security in-charge
Security Restrictions Imposed in Kolkata
In an effort to maintain law and order and prevent further unrest, Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in specific parts of the city.
The restrictions are in effect for three days, from October 18 to 20, covering the area under the Bowbazar Police Station. This zone is bounded by College Street, CR Avenue, Collotola Street, and Eden Hospital Road.
Under these orders, the following are strictly prohibited:
- Unlawful assemblies of five or more people.
- Carrying lathis, lethal weapons, or any dangerous objects.
- Any activities likely to disturb public tranquillity or cause a breach of peace.