Politics
Kolkata puja stampede kills 19 as SIT probe ordered
Hindustan Times·
At least 19 people died and 25 were injured in a stampede at a Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on October 17, Hindustan Times reported. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered a Special Investigation Team led by a High Court judge. Families of the dead get ₹25 lakh and Group D jobs. Modi announced ₹2 lakh PMNRF aid per deceased.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Families of victims can apply for announced state jobs and compensation once officials verify identities.
- Injured people may seek treatment at hospitals of their choice with state coverage, Adhikari said.
- Visitors to popular Kolkata pandals faced temporary closures after authorities warned about crowding.
What's Happening
- Heavy rain on Maha Saptami worsened crowds outside the pandal when people rushed forward, police said.
- Adhikari said organisers' announcements may have triggered a sudden surge before the stampede.
- Anti-Rowdy Section police collected CCTV footage as part of the investigation.
Crowd control at Kolkata pandals
- Kolkata hosts around 3,500 Durga Puja pandals, many drawing dense evening footfall.
- Authorities advised major theme pandals to close temporarily to prevent further crushes.
- Officials detained some puja committee members and security staff without fixing blame yet.
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