Seven Arrested Following Deadly Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal
Police have arrested seven individuals in connection with a deadly stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, which left 19 dead.
Kolkata, October 18 (Daily Kiran) : A tragic stampede during the Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata has led to the arrest of seven individuals, including organizers and security personnel. The incident occurred on Mukutram Babu Street, where a large crowd had gathered to view the idols.
The chaos erupted when a section of the exit gate collapsed, resulting in a stampede that claimed the lives of at least 19 people and left many others injured. Following the incident, police took immediate action, registering a case and apprehending key figures involved in the event. Those arrested include Rajkumar Sevda, the committee secretary; Shantanu Dube, the vice president; and Biplab Mukherjee, who was involved in the construction of the bamboo structure. Security personnel Kaushik Saha and Pintu, along with private security head Suman Chakraborty and Rajesh Pal, were also among those detained.
In response to the tragedy, a forensic team visited the site on Sunday to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the families of the deceased and injured at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. He assessed the situation on-site and engaged with both police and event organizers.
The Chief Minister announced that the government would provide ₹25 lakh to each victim’s family and offer a government job to one family member. Additionally, he revealed plans to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the incident.
The stampede has drawn condolences from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who pledged ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased. The community mourns as it grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event.
