19 Dead in Stampede: CM Adhikari Overhauls Crowd Control for Puja
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari visits control rooms to ensure safety after a tragic Chorbagan Pandal stampede claimed 19 lives.
In the wake of a devastating tragedy at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal that claimed 19 lives, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has taken direct charge of reviewing city-wide safety measures. On Sunday, the Chief Minister visited central monitoring facilities to ensure that foolproof crowd management is in place to prevent any further mishaps during the festive season.
High-Tech Surveillance and Traffic Review
The Chief Minister's visit focused on the technical and tactical readiness of the state's security apparatus. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the primary goal was to ensure seamless commuting and the safe regulation of vehicular movement for the millions of devotees hitting the streets.
Adhikari's review spanned two critical hubs:
- West Bengal Police Traffic Control Room (Araksha Bhawan, Salt Lake): Here, the CM evaluated state-level traffic management, the existing surveillance infrastructure, and the tactical readiness of the force alongside senior officers.
- Kolkata Police Control Room (Lalbazar): The CM inspected live citywide CCTV feeds, specifically monitoring footfall, transit corridors, and the density of crowds surrounding the most popular Puja Pandals.
"The safety and well-being of every Citizen remain our utmost priority. To personally assess the ground situation and ensure foolproof crowd management across all major Puja Pandals, I visited the central monitoring facilities today," Adhikari stated in a post on X.
Real-Time Modifications and Strict Compliance
The Chief Minister emphasized that the administration and police are not relying on static plans but are making real-time modifications based on the ground situation. This includes enhanced police deployment and round-the-clock vigilance to ensure that all Puja organizers strictly adhere to safety regulations.
Adhikari has also made a public appeal to both the Puja Committees and the devotees, urging them to cooperate fully with the administrative and police personnel deployed on the ground to maintain order.
Investigation and Legal Action in Chorbagan Tragedy
While focusing on future prevention, the state is also pursuing accountability for the Chorbagan Pandal disaster. CM Suvendu Adhikari announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will soon be constituted to probe the causes of the stampede that led to the death of 19 people and left several others injured.
Seven Arrested, Remanded to Custody
The legal process regarding the tragedy is already underway. The Bankshal Court on Sunday remanded seven individuals arrested in connection with the stampede to police custody for 10 days. While the police had requested a 14-day remand (until November 1st), the judge granted custody until October 28th.
However, the defense has presented a different narrative. Defense lawyer MD Yashim Raheman claimed that the accused were not responsible for the chaos but were actually outsiders who had come to enjoy the festivities. He argued that these individuals stepped in to help rescue people who were in distress during the heavy crowding, rather than contributing to the tragedy.