The West Bengal government on Wednesday constituted a six-member special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the October 17 stampede near the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, which killed 19 people and injured 25 others.The SIT, headed by retired judge Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati, must submit its report, along with its findings and recommendations, to the state government within three months, according to an order issued by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal on October 21.The government constituted the team in consultation with the Calcutta High Court and directed all concerned departments, authorities, agencies and individuals to extend full cooperation and provide the records, information and assistance required for the inquiry.The order described the investigation as a "comprehensive, impartial and thorough inquiry" into the incident. It also authorised the SIT to undertake any further investigation necessary, subject to applicable laws and procedures.
Besides Justice Roy Saraswati as chairperson, the SIT comprises the principal secretary of the Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department, the director general and inspector general of police of the Special Task Force (STF), and a representative of the West Bengal police chief not below the rank of additional director general of police.The remaining members include a representative of the Home and Hill Affairs Department not below the rank of joint secretary and a representative of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Kolkata. The team may also request the state government to induct additional officers as required to carry out its functions.The SIT will examine the sequence of events leading to the stampede, including the time, location and circumstances of the initial crowd surge and how it developed into a stampede.It will assess the number of people present at the venue, examine crowd movement and entry and exit flows, and determine whether the gathering exceeded the premises' reasonably assessed safe capacity.The investigation will examine possible contributing factors, including overcrowding, adverse weather conditions, gate management, rumours, electrical failure, inadequate entry and exit arrangements, structural deficiencies and possible failures of crowd-control measures.The team will also examine meteorological reports and rainfall or thunderstorm bulletins to assess how weather conditions may have affected crowd movement, visibility, surface conditions and panic.
It will investigate whether public announcements, whistles, rumours, sudden movements or other events triggered or aggravated the crowd surge.The SIT will inspect the condition and adequacy of passages, barricades, stairways, gates, emergency exits and other structural and access arrangements at the pandal.The team will scrutinise CCTV footage, mobile phone video recordings, forensic findings, call records, police station and control room logs, medical records and other physical evidence related to the incident.It will also examine the preparedness, response time and conduct of the organisers, private security personnel, volunteers, police, ambulance services, hospitals, fire services and civic authorities.The investigation will assess whether the organisers and authorities secured the required permissions under applicable rules and whether they prepared and implemented adequate crowd-management plans, disaster-management plans, evacuation arrangements and police bandobast plans.The SIT will examine compliance with applicable laws, judicial directions and relevant guidelines, including those issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).The order directs the SIT to determine whether any lapse, negligence, dereliction of duty or failure in coordination contributed to the incident and whether responsibility lies with the organisers, police authorities, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Public Works Department, Fire and Emergency Services, CESC Limited or any other agency or individual.The team will recommend appropriate action in accordance with the law wherever warranted.The investigation will also assess the assistance, compensation and rehabilitation extended, or required to be extended, to the victims and their families. This will include examining the adequacy of any ex-gratia assistance announced.The SIT will recommend measures to regulate large Durga Puja gatherings in congested areas, particularly the narrow lanes of north Kolkata, to prevent similar incidents.Its recommendations may cover scientifically assessed footfall limits, adequate entry and exit routes, CCTV surveillance, public-address systems, emergency evacuation plans and effective coordination among agencies.- Ends