New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. In view of the tragedy, Shah announced that he would postpone all his scheduled programmes in West Bengal on Sunday. He also said he would visit the injured in hospital. Shah spoke over the phone with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and conveyed his condolences to the families of those who died. He said the administration was making arrangements to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.
The stampede occurred on Saturday evening at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, leaving 19 people dead and 35 injured. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 18 people were brought to the hospital dead. Following the incident, Adhikari visited Kolkata Medical College and Hospital to review the treatment being provided to the injured. According to the Chief Minister, an announcement made by the Durga Puja organisers may have triggered the incident. A large movement of people reportedly followed the announcement at the pandal near Chittaranjan Avenue, leading to the stampede.
A police official said that as rain began, people waiting outside the pandal pushed forward. Some fell onto the road, triggering the deadly crush. Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee and senior officials also visited the government hospital where the injured were admitted. Disaster response personnel have been deployed at the site. Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed grief over the tragedy. She wished the injured a speedy recovery and hoped that the affected families would find the strength to overcome the difficult situation.
