Kolkata Pandal Stampede: Governor RN Ravi Visits Victims After Tragic Loss of 19 Lives
Governor RN Ravi, Amit Shah, and CM Suvendu Adhikari visit victims of the tragic Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal stampede in Kolkata.
In a poignant gesture of support, West Bengal Governor RN Ravi visited the victims of the devastating Kolkata pandal stampede on Sunday. The Governor spent time with those injured in the tragedy that occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata, inquiring about their health and the quality of treatment they were receiving at the hospital.
A Heartbreaking Tragedy
The stampede, which struck during the festive celebrations, resulted in the loss of 19 precious lives and left 25 others hospitalised. Expressing his deep sorrow, Governor Ravi shared his grief through a post on X, stating that he was "deeply heartbroken" by the incident. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and prayed for the complete and swift recovery of those still fighting for their health.
High-Level Visits and Government Response
The Governor was not the only high-profile leader to visit the victims. Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the injured patients currently undergoing treatment at an Apollo hospital in Kolkata.
Home Minister Amit Shah described the event as "extremely distressing." In a show of solidarity and urgency, Shah revised his official itinerary, postponing all his scheduled programs in West Bengal for the following day to ensure he could personally check on the victims. He confirmed that he had been in communication with Chief Minister Adhikari to monitor the situation and emphasized that the administration's primary focus is providing the best possible medical care to the survivors.
"I pray to Ma Durga that all the injured individuals recover swiftly," Shah wrote on X, while offering prayers for the souls of the deceased.
Police Action and Security Measures
In the wake of the tragedy, the Kolkata Police have taken stringent measures to maintain law and order and prevent further unrest. Police Commissioner Ajay Nand issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
Key Security Details:
- Duration: The restrictions are in effect for three days, from October 18 to October 20.
- Affected Areas: The orders cover parts of the city under the Bowbazar Police Station's jurisdiction, specifically the areas bounded by College Street, Central Avenue (CR Avenue), Colootola Street, and Eden Hospital Road.
Legal Crackdown and Arrests
As investigations into the cause of the stampede intensify, the Kolkata Police have already arrested seven individuals. Among those taken into custody are key members of the puja committee and those involved in the pandal's physical setup:
- Raj Kumar Sewda (alias Raja), 48: Secretary of the puja committee.
- Santanu Dubey, 55: Vice-president of the puja committee.
- Biplab Mukherjee (alias Joy), 48: An individual engaged in the construction of the bamboo structure.