A high-level meeting is underway at the West Bengal Police Headquarters at Bhawani Bhavan, where the Chief Minister is reviewing the ongoing investigation into the recent stampede incident. Senior police officers, the Director General of Police, and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Aggarwal are present. Taking lessons from the disaster in Kolkata, the administration is focusing on safety and security measures for pandal hoppers across districts including Malda, Howrah, and Siliguri. Discussions are centered on chalking out strategies and precautionary steps to manage huge congregations throughout the Durga Puja celebrations under direct supervision.
A massive stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata has claimed the lives of at least 19 people, including 13 women and six minors, leaving over 25 others injured. The mishap occurred after heavy rainfall caused visitors to rush into the pandal for shelter, creating a severe choke point at the narrow exit lane. Families of the victims have blamed the Puja organizers and local administration for poor crowd management, narrow passage lanes, and inadequate lighting.
Following the incident, police arrested seven individuals, including committee organizers, and imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita around the area. Senior officials held high-level meetings to review security and crowd control measures across West Bengal, while several other pandals with heavy footfalls were temporarily closed as a precaution. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the injured undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital alongside Suvendu Adhikari.
Kolkata Police registered an FIR at Girish Park Police Station and arrested seven persons, including the puja committee's secretary and vice president, under charges including negligence and culpable homicide. The Centre announced an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees for the next of kin of the deceased, while the state government announced compensation of 25 lakh rupees and a government job.
Meanwhile, political controversy erupted as the Trinamool Congress attacked the state government, questioning crowd management and police priorities regarding VIP security during Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit. TMC demanded accountability and targeted the pandal committee's alleged political links. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced financial assistance for the victims and their families as the state established a fact-finding committee and a special task force to probe the tragedy.