West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said Kolkata Police had detained private security personnel and organisers of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, where 17 people died and 25 others were injured in a stampede-like incident.
He also appealed to Durga Puja committees across the state to coordinate with the police and improve crowd management, particularly around entry and exit routes. “I request all puja committees to coordinate with police and work on exit routes. In the name of the puja, many places are not lit inside the pandals. The incident occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on Muktarambabu Street in north Kolkata, where a large crowd had gathered to catch a glimpse of the idols. The incident has prompted calls for an investigation into crowd management and safety arrangements at the pandal. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed sorrow over the deaths and injuries, describing the incident as heartbreaking.
The sudden rush led to a stampede-like situation, leaving 17 people dead and 25 injured.
“Organisers of the Chorbagan Durga Puja have been detained by Kolkata Police,” Adhikari said, adding that a fact-finding team would investigate the circumstances that led to the tragedy. I am assuring that we will ensure safety for all,” he said. “My heart is deeply pained by the tragic incident of loss of life due to the stampede at the Chorbagan Public Puja pandal in Kolkata,” he said.
