Adhikari said Kolkata Police had been directed to detain and question members of the puja committee. (File Photo: ITG)

Human life valuable than theme: Suvendu Adhikari forms fact-finding team for Kolkata stampede

The West Bengal government announced a fact-finding inquiry into the Chorbagan pandal incident that killed 17 people. The tragedy prompted scrutiny of crowd controls, safety arrangements and cooperation between organisers and police.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Incident occurred between 7.30 pm and 8 pm on Saturday
  • One or two injured people remained critical as treatment arrangements continued
  • Police will question organisers, private guards and venue safety personnel

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said a fact-finding committee would be formed to investigate the stampede-like incident at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata that left 17 people dead and 25 injured.

Speaking in a telephonic interview, Adhikari said the incident occurred between 7.30 pm and 8 pm. He added that one or two of the injured were in critical condition and that the government was making arrangements to ensure proper medical treatment for all those affected.

The Chief Minister said the immediate priority was to support the families of those who died, ensure the injured received treatment and facilitate their safe return home after recovery.

“Every person's life has a lot of value. Human life is much more valuable than themes,” Adhikari said, urging Durga Puja committees across West Bengal to cooperate with the police and address shortcomings in crowd management, particularly at entry and exit points.

POLICE ASKED TO QUESTION THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY

Adhikari said Kolkata Police had been directed to detain and question members of the puja committee and those responsible for safety at the venue, including personnel associated with private security arrangements and the police.

He also said CCTV footage from the site should be preserved as part of the investigation.

A forensic team, the Special Task Force (STF) and fire brigade personnel had reached the site, the Chief Minister said. He appealed to political parties and the media to stay away from the spot until forensic examinations were completed to prevent evidence from being disturbed.

The fact-finding committee would examine the circumstances that led to the incident, Adhikari said, adding that the government wanted to establish the cause at the earliest.

- Ends