Kolkata Pandal Stampede: 19 Dead, CM Announces Rs 25 Lakh Compensation And Government Jobs For Families

Kolkata: The stampede that broke out at the Durga Puja pandal in the northern part of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, on Saturday evening turned the festive atmosphere into mourning. 19 people died, while 24 were injured in the accident that took place at the Chorbagan public Durga Puja pandal near Chittaranjan Avenue. The condition of one of the injured is said to be serious. After the incident, questions are being raised on the security arrangements, crowd management and emergency arrangements of the pandal. Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari has given instructions to investigate the matter. At the same time, 10 people including the puja organisers, have been detained.

How did the stampede occur in the Durga Puja pandal of Kolkata?

According to preliminary information, a huge crowd of devotees was present in the pandal of Chorbagan Public Durga Festival Committee on Saturday evening. During this time an announcement was made by the organisers. It is being told that after the private security personnel blew their whistle, the crowd suddenly started moving forward. Meanwhile, it started raining and people standing in queue outside the pandal started moving inside to avoid the water.
As the pressure of the crowd increased, pushing and shoving started.

According to a police officer, during this time some people fell on the road, after which the situation went out of control. However, the actual reason and sequence of events of the stampede can be confirmed only after the investigation is completed.

How many people died in the accident and how many are injured?

In this tragic incident, 19 people have died, while 24 people have been injured. The dead include four men, two children and 13 women. According to Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari, 18 people were taken dead to Kolkata Medical College. The condition of one of the injured is said to be critical, while 11 injured were referred to SSKM Hospital.

As soon as information about the accident was received, the administration and health department became active. Chief Minister and Chief Secretary Manoj Aggarwal reached the hospital and took stock of the condition of treatment of the injured. The government has assured to bear the entire cost of treatment of the injured.

Where was the mistake in the security arrangements of the pandal?

The biggest question after the accident is why adequate arrangements were not made to control the huge crowd. According to eyewitnesses, a circular elevated corridor was made inside the pandal, from where the spectators had to turn 360 degrees to exit. Initial information has revealed that crowd pressure is increasing in this corridor.

Some eyewitnesses alleged that timely help was not received from police and security personnel at the spot. After the incident, the lights of the pandal were switched off and the entry and exit points were closed. The Chief Minister has directed to call the puja committee members to the police station. The matter is being investigated by detaining 10 people including the organisers. CCTV footage will also be examined.

How much compensation will the families of the deceased get?

Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari has announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of the deceased and a Group-D government job for one of the family members. At the same time, financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each will be given to the injured. The government has also assured all possible assistance to the affected families.

The Chief Minister on Sunday wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of the High Court demanding the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of a sitting judge to ensure a transparent investigation. Apart from this, toll-free helpline number 18003455678 has been issued to assist the affected families.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand each to the injured.

What did Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah say?

President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have expressed deep grief over the accident in Kolkata. The Prime Minister expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. He said that all possible assistance is being provided to the affected people.

Amit Shah, who reached Kolkata on Saturday night, postponed all his Sunday programmes after the accident. He is also going to go to the hospital to meet the injured. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also expressed grief over the incident.

This year's pandal of Chorbagan Public Durga Festival Committee was prepared on the concept of 360 degrees. Its theme was said to be 'Arb' i.e. 'Beyond Sound'. Information about the pandal getting third place in the list of best puja pandals was also revealed. Now after this accident, the security arrangements of the event and the role of the people responsible are under investigation.