Chorbagan Stampede: CM Adhikari Announces Rs 27 Lakh Aid for Victim's Family
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari provides financial aid to a Chorbagan stampede victim's family and updates on the SIT probe.
In a gesture of support following the devastating Chorbagan stampede compensation and tragedy, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the home of Shubham Sonkar, one of the victims of the horrific incident. Accompanied by State Industries Minister Tapas Roy, the Chief Minister met with the grieving family to express his condolences and provide immediate financial assistance.
Government Responsibility and Financial Aid
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Chief Minister Adhikari acknowledged the profound loss suffered by the family. He emphasized that while money cannot replace a lost life, the state must uphold its duty toward those affected by such disasters.
The Chief Minister revealed that a total of Rs 27 lakh has been deposited into the family's account. This amount consists of:
- Rs 25 lakh provided by the state government.
- Rs 2 lakh sourced from the Prime Minister's relief fund.
Beyond the financial aid, the Chief Minister addressed the future of the victim's children. Upon being approached by the son of the deceased for employment assistance, Adhikari assured the family that the government would do everything within its power to help him find a job.
High-Level Probe Into the Tragedy
The visit comes in the wake of the tragic stampede that occurred on October 17 at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. The disaster claimed 19 lives and left numerous others injured, sparking calls for accountability and better crowd management.
To uncover the truth behind the incident, the West Bengal Government, in consultation with the Calcutta High Court, has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The panel is tasked with analyzing the circumstances that led to the crush and recommending measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Composition of the SIT
The high-level probe committee is led by Justice (Rtd.) Anindita Roy Saraswati. To ensure a comprehensive investigation, the panel includes several key officials:
- The Principal Secretary of the Disaster Management & Civil Defence Department, Government of West Bengal.
- The Director General and Inspector General of Police for the Special Task Force (STF), West Bengal.
- A representative from the Director General and Inspector General of Police (at least the rank of Additional Director General).
- A representative from the Home and Hill Affairs Department (at least the rank of Joint Secretary).
- A representative from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) based in Kolkata.
Timeline for the Report
According to the official government notification, the SIT is required to conduct a thorough review of the events of October 17. The committee has been mandated to submit its final report to the state government within three months from the date the order was issued.