Kolkata Stampede Kills 19: TMC Targets BJP, Amit Shah Visits Injured

A major political row has erupted in West Bengal following a stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata that claimed nineteen lives and left over twenty people injured. The Trinamool Congress has demanded accountability and the resignation of Chief Minister Shubendu Adhikari, alleging that his nephew, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Member of Legislative Assembly, serves as the president of the Chorbagan Puja Committee. Union Home Minister Amit Shah cancelled his scheduled public engagements in Bengal to visit the injured victims admitted at the Calcutta Medical College alongside the Chief Minister. The Union Home Ministry has also sought a detailed report from the state government regarding potential security lapses. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police have arrested key office bearers, including the general secretary and vice president of the committee, on negligence charges, while shutting down the pandal under Section 163 and stepping up crowd management measures across Kolkata.