Kolkata stampede: Puja treasurer arrested over announcement that triggered panic

The Detective Department of Kolkata Police arrested puja committee treasurer Sanjeev Raha over the Chorbagan stampede. Investigators suspect a collapse warning triggered panic that left 19 people dead.

In Short

• Announcement of pandal collapse triggered panic and deadly stampede
• Narrow access routes and inadequate crowd control allegedly worsened the rush
• Police collected CCTV footage and recorded statements from locals and eyewitnesses

In the latest development in the Chorbagan stampede that killed 19 people in Kolkata, the city's Detective Department has arrested Sanjeev Raha, also known as Sentu, the treasurer of the Durga Puja organising committee, from Nadia district. Raha is allegedly the person who announced that a portion of the pandal was about to collapse on the night of the tragedy, triggering panic among visitors and leading to the deadly stampede.

Investigators suspect the announcement triggered panic among visitors, leading to a stampede amid heavy crowding and rain.

The arrest marks a fresh development in the investigation into the deadly incident. Earlier, the police had arrested the secretary and vice-president of the puja organising committee. Seven people, including members of the organising committee, had been arrested in connection with the case so far.

ANNOUNCEMENT MAY HAVE TRIGGERED PANIC

According to preliminary findings shared by the police, an announcement warning visitors that the pandal was about to collapse may have prompted people to rush towards the exit, triggering the stampede.

A senior police officer told news agency PTI that investigators had found video footage in which an announcer could be heard asking people to leave the pandal because the structure was about to collapse. The police were trying to establish who made the announcement and what prompted it.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had also shared preliminary findings, saying the incident was apparently triggered by an announcement made by a private security agency and the blowing of whistles, citing initial inputs from the Assistant Commissioner of Police present at the spot.

CROWD MANAGEMENT LAPSES UNDER SCANNER

The police investigation has also pointed to alleged lapses in crowd management at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. According to the senior officer, circumstantial evidence and accounts from locals and eyewitnesses suggest that inadequate crowd control may have contributed to the tragedy.

Investigators found that the number of police personnel and private security guards deployed at the venue was insufficient. The officer said the organisers had not put in place a clear plan to manage the large crowds, with arrangements being handled verbally.

The police have collected CCTV footage and recorded statements from locals and eyewitnesses as part of the investigation. Officials also found that the entrance and the approach road leading to the pandal were too narrow to accommodate the sudden influx of visitors. During the stampede, people attempted to escape through the entrance gate, further worsening the situation.

Announcements guiding visitors on entry, exit and crowd movement were also inadequate, leaving people confused amid the rush.

19 KILLED, 25 INJURED

The stampede took place at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata at around 7.40 pm on Saturday, October 17, amid heavy crowding and rain. Reports following the incident suggested that a section of the temporary structure may have collapsed under crowd pressure.

At least 19 people were killed and around 25 others were injured. The injured were taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, police, fire brigade personnel and disaster management teams were deployed at the site, and the pandal was subsequently closed to visitors.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced government jobs and compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of those who died in the stampede. The state government also took responsibility for the medical treatment of the injured and announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each injured person.

- Ends