Case lodged, organisers among 7 arrested after Kolkata pandal stampede kills 19

At least seven people, including members of the organising committee, have been arrested in connection with the stampede that claimed the lives of 19 people at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata.

In Short

• Incident occurred amid heavy crowd and rain on Saturday
• 7 people, including organisers, arrested by the police
• CM vows probe by SIT headed by sitting High Court judge

Seven people, including members of the organising committee, have been arrested in connection with a stampede that took place at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata and left at least 19 people dead and around 25 others injured on Saturday, October 17, evening.

The incident took place at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal at around 7.40 pm amid heavy crowding and rain, with reports suggesting that a section of the temporary structure collapsed under crowd pressure.

As part of the probe into the stampede, a case was registered and close to a dozen people were detained, initially.

"Our officers are talking to them (detainees) to find out the cause that led to today's mishap. If any lapses are found, we will act as per the law," the officer had said.

Seven people were later placed under arrest.

Those who sustained injuries in the incident were taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (MCH) for treatment. Police, fire brigade personnel and disaster management teams were deployed at the site, and the pandal was subsequently closed to visitors.

According to Kolkata Police, the stampede occurred at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Durga Puja pandal, under Girish Park police station, as devotees gathered in large numbers despite the rain.

Jayanta Banerjee, general secretary of the Chorbagan Durga Puja Committee, has resigned from his post following the stampede. All other office-bearers of the committee have also confirmed their resignations in the aftermath of the incident.

West Bengal minister Umesh Rai said all state government programmes scheduled for Sunday had been cancelled, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s pre-scheduled meeting.

EYEWITNESSES CITE NARROW GATES, POOR LIGHTING

An eyewitness told ANI that several people lost consciousness amid the rush and that some were taken away on motorcycles.

“I witnessed this happening all around—when people fainted, they were taken away on bikes. All of this took place, and there was a massive crowd as well,” the eyewitness said.

Another eyewitness said the entrance and exit gates were narrow and the area lacked proper lighting. The person added that their daughter and granddaughter had been hospitalised following the incident.

The West Bengal government has launched a toll-free helpline, 18003455678, for assistance following the tragedy.

SUVENDU ADHIKARI VISITS HOSPITAL

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal reached Calcutta Medical College and Hospital following reports of the incident. West Bengal Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee also visited the injured at the hospital.

The West Bengal CM also vowed the formation of a fact-finding committee headed by a sitting High Court judge to probe the incident.

He further announced government jobs and Rs 25 lakh as compensation for families who lost their loved ones.

"For all the injured, the full responsibility for their medical treatment has been taken by the state government, and we will provide Rs 5 lakh as compensation to each of them," Adhikari stated in a video statement released by the West Bengal CMO.

PM MODI ANNOUNCES EX-GRATIA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each person who died. Those injured will receive Rs 50,000 each.

AMIT SHAH POSTPONES PROGRAMMES

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief over the deaths and said he had spoken to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari about the situation.

“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray for the peace of the departed souls and the swift recovery of those injured,” Shah said in a post.

He added that he was postponing his scheduled programmes in West Bengal the following day to visit the injured in hospital.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the deaths at the Kolkata Durga Puja pandal, extending condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Rahul Gandhi called the Chorbagan stampede heartbreaking, offered condolences to the victims’ families, urged immediate medical care and a fair investigation, and appealed to Congress workers to assist in relief efforts.

West Bengal Governor RN Ravi also expressed sadness over the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the bereaved families, while praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply saddened by the incident and prayed for the recovery of the injured, wishing their families strength during the difficult time.

The TMC also questioned the reported lack of police personnel, civic volunteers, ambulances and crowd management at the venue, demanding accountability from the Kolkata Police and the BJP administration. The party asked whether Suvendu Adhikari would accept responsibility and resign.

HEAVY RAIN AS PANDAL-HOPPING CONTINUES

Heavy rain had lashed Kolkata and adjoining areas from Saptami afternoon. After a brief lull, showers resumed in the evening, but crowds continued to visit Durga Puja pandals across the city.

Chorbagan Sarbojanin was among the popular destinations, drawing visitors keen to see its theme for the year.

CHORBAGAN SARBOJANIN'S 91ST YEAR

The puja is celebrating its 91st year with the theme AROB, a Bengali term referring to being away from sound and noise.

The pandal depicts Goddess Durga and her children in deep meditation. Lighting and sound arrangements have been designed to create a calm atmosphere.

Unlike her traditional warrior-like depiction, Durga is shown in a peaceful state, while Mahishasura is portrayed surrendering his weapons.

Organisers said the theme seeks to promote peace, calmness and composure amid violence, conflict and hostility around the world.

- Ends
With inputs from Rahi Halder