Chorbagan Durga Puja Stampede: Amit Shah, CM Suvendu Adhikari Visit Injured as 19 Dead
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CM Suvendu Adhikari visit injured after a tragic Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede in Kolkata claimed 19 lives.
In the wake of a devastating tragedy that has shaken North Kolkata, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited an Apollo hospital on Sunday to meet with survivors of the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede. The horrific incident at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal resulted in the deaths of 19 people and left numerous others fighting for their lives.
High-Level Visit and Condolences
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, visibly moved by the tragedy, described the news of the casualties as "extremely distressing." Demonstrating the gravity of the situation, the Home Minister revised his entire itinerary, postponing all scheduled programs in West Bengal for the following day to prioritize visiting the victims.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Shah expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the peace of the departed souls. He confirmed that he had been in close coordination with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to monitor the situation and ensure that the administration provides the highest quality medical care to those injured.
"The administration is making arrangements for the best possible medical treatment for the injured. I pray to Ma Durga that all the injured individuals recover swiftly," Shah stated.
Chaos at the Pandal
The tragedy unfolded at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, where a massive surge of devotees led to a fatal crush. In the ensuing panic and rush, 19 individuals lost their lives, and 25 others sustained injuries. The scale of the disaster has prompted a swift response from both the state and central leadership.
Strict Security Measures in Kolkata
To prevent any further unrest or potential violent demonstrations, the Kolkata Police have implemented stringent prohibitory orders. Commissioner of Police Ajay Nand invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, imposing restrictions from October 18 to October 20.
The restrictions are specifically targeted at areas under the Bowbazar Police Station's jurisdiction, including:
- College Street
- Central Avenue (CR Avenue)
- Colootola Street
- Eden Hospital Road
Under these orders, any unlawful assembly of five or more people is banned. Furthermore, the carrying of lathis, lethal weapons, or any dangerous objects is strictly prohibited to maintain public tranquility and prevent a breach of peace.
Legal Action and Arrests
As investigations into the cause of the stampede intensify, the Kolkata Police have already arrested seven individuals. The crackdown includes key members of the organizing body and those involved in the physical setup of the event.
Among those taken into custody are:
- Raj Kumar Sewda (alias Raja): The secretary of the puja committee.
- Santanu Dubey: The vice-president of the committee.
- Biplab Mukherjee (alias Joy): A person responsible for the construction of the bamboo structure.
- Koushik Saha: One of the several others detained in connection with the disaster.
The authorities are currently probing whether negligence in crowd management or structural flaws contributed to the fatal crush that turned a celebration into a tragedy.