Bengal Pandal Collapse: Chirag Paswan Mourns Loss of Lives; CM Oversees Review
Union Minister Chirag Paswan expresses sorrow over the Kolkata pandal collapse that killed 19. Seven arrested as STF begins probe.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan has expressed profound grief over the devastating Bengal pandal collapse and subsequent stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata. Speaking to reporters in Patna on Sunday, the Minister described the incident as a tragedy and offered his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.
A Tragic Turn of Events in Kolkata
The horror unfolded on Saturday when a massive surge of devotees visiting the renowned Chorbagan pandal led to a chaotic situation. The collapse of the structure, combined with the ensuing stampede, resulted in the deaths of 19 people and left 25 others injured. Paswan termed the loss of precious lives as "unfortunate" and prayed for the departed souls and the quick recovery of those currently battling injuries.
Highlighting the government's response, the Union Minister noted that the Chief Minister of West Bengal is personally overseeing a comprehensive review of the incident to understand how such a tragedy occurred.
High-Profile Visits and Immediate Response
The gravity of the situation drew immediate attention from top leadership. Amit Shah and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the injured victims receiving treatment at an Apollo hospital in Kolkata on Sunday. In a gesture of solidarity, Amit Shah postponed his previously scheduled programs in the state to prioritize visiting the victims and expressing his condolences to the bereaved families.
Legal Action and Arrests
The Kolkata Police have moved swiftly to establish accountability, arresting seven individuals linked to the organization and construction of the pandal. The arrested include:
- Raj Kumar Sewda (alias Raja): Secretary of the puja committee.
- Santanu Dubey: Vice-president of the committee.
- Biplab Mukherjee (alias Joy): Involved in the construction of the bamboo structure.
- Koushik Saha: Responsible for crowd management and VIP pass verification.
- Pintu Dey: Engaged in crowd management.
- Suman Chakraborty and Rajesh Pal: Private security in-charges.
In addition to these arrests, 14 other individuals have been detained for questioning. The police have registered a suo motu case under Sections 105, 110, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the organizers.
Security Measures and Compensation
To maintain law and order and prevent any potential disturbances, Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, has been imposed in specific parts of Kolkata from October 18 to 20. This restriction, covering the area under the Bowbazar Police Station, prohibits unlawful assemblies of five or more people and the carrying of weapons.
The West Bengal government has announced a significant relief package for the victims' families, including:
- Financial Aid: Rs 25 lakh compensation for the family of each deceased person.
- Employment: A government job for one family member of the deceased.
A Special Task Force (STF) has been tasked with conducting a deep-dive investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the collapse and to fix responsibility for the negligence.