Kolkata Pandal Tragedy: 19 Dead in Stampede; SIT Probe Ordered
19 people died in a tragic stampede at a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal. Six arrested as the government announces compensation and a high-level SIT probe.
A festive atmosphere turned into a scene of horror in Kolkata on Saturday evening when a massive crush of devotees at a Durga Puja pandal led to a fatal stampede. The tragedy claimed 19 lives and left numerous others injured, casting a dark shadow over the city's celebrations.
On Sunday, the bodies of the deceased were handed over to their grieving families. Among the victims was a 27-year-old nurse who had visited the pandal with a friend after completing her professional duties. Her remains were transported to her hometown in Hooghly, leaving her family devastated by the sudden loss.
Government Action and SIT Formation
The West Bengal government has moved quickly to address the catastrophe. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be constituted to conduct a thorough probe into the incident. To ensure transparency and impartiality, the SIT is expected to operate under the leadership of a sitting judge.
The Chief Secretary is tasked with writing to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to seek the necessary permissions to form this high-level team. The Chief Minister emphasized that the government is fully engaged in managing the aftermath, stating that officials are not treating the period as a holiday and are avoiding public blame games.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Law enforcement has taken stern action against those responsible for the mismanagement. Kolkata Police have arrested seven individuals in connection with the tragedy, including key members of the puja committee and security personnel:
- 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.
The police have registered a suo motu case under Sections 105, 110, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, 14 other people have been detained for questioning, and the Special Task Force (STF) has launched an investigation to establish clear accountability.
Victim Support and Public Safety
To support the bereaved families, the West Bengal government has announced a compensation package of Rs 25 lakh and a government job for the family of each deceased person.
Regarding the injured, 25 people received medical treatment. While 23 have begun the discharge process, two individuals remain in critical condition in the ICU. The victims were visited at Apollo Hospital by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, West Bengal Governor RN Ravi, and the Chief Minister.
Preventing Further Chaos
To maintain law and order and prevent potential disturbances, Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, has been imposed in various parts of Kolkata from October 18 to 20.
The administration is also reviewing safety protocols for the upcoming immersion processions, focusing specifically on crowd control and public safety along the riverbanks to ensure such a tragedy is not repeated.