'Complete Maladministration': Kalyan Banerjee Slams Authorities Over Fatal Kolkata Pandal Stampede
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee calls the fatal Kolkata pandal stampede a case of complete maladministration after 19 people died.
The tragic Kolkata pandal stampede, which claimed 19 lives and left numerous others injured, has sparked a fierce political row. Trinamool Congress (Mamata Banerjee faction) MP Kalyan Banerjee has launched a scathing attack on the administration, describing the disaster at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal as a textbook case of "complete maladministration."
"Never Seen Such Incidents": MP Highlights Lapses
Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Kalyan Banerjee expressed his shock and dismay over the tragedy, stating that in all his years, he had never witnessed such a catastrophic failure in management. He pointed toward several critical lapses that contributed to the chaos in North Kolkata.
The MP highlighted specific structural and safety failures, including:
- Poor Lighting: He noted that there was inadequate lighting within the premises, which likely hindered the movement of the crowd.
- Flawed Structure: The design of the pandal reportedly limited the space available for people to gather outside, creating a bottleneck.
- Questionable Infrastructure: Banerjee questioned the construction of an elevated corridor and wondered why the police permitted such a structure given the crowd density.
"The entire arrangement was not in conformity with crowd management requirements. What was the police doing? There was not a single police officer," Banerjee asserted.
The Horror at Chorbagan Sarbojanin
The incident occurred amid the festive fervor of Durga Puja, where a massive surge of devotees converged at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. The resulting crush turned fatal, leading to the deaths of 19 individuals and leaving 25 others injured. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals as the city grappled with the scale of the tragedy.
Police Action and Legal Crackdown
In the aftermath of the disaster, the Kolkata Police have taken stringent legal action. Seven individuals have already been arrested in connection with the incident. The police have registered a suo motu case against the organizers and other involved parties under Sections 105, 110, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Preventing Further Unrest
To prevent the tragedy from spiraling into wider public disorder, the Kolkata Police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. These orders, effective from October 18 to October 20, cover various parts of the city.
The restrictions were put in place to thwart potential violent demonstrations, rallies, or meetings that could jeopardize public safety and law and order during this sensitive period. The orders remain in force until further notice.