Chaos at Puja Pandal: 19 dead, dozens hurt in Kolkata stampede, Amit Shah to visit Medical College at 11 am
Kolkata (West Bengal), October 18: At least, nineteen people were killed in a stampede at the Chorbagan public puja pandal in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Seventeen of them died on the spot. At least 25 were injured, one of whom remains in critical condition.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, after visiting the site, told reporters late last night that the state government was making every effort to assist the affected families and provide the best possible treatment to the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the accident and announced that each family member of those who lost their lives will receive an assistance of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. The injured will receive ₹50,000 each. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Kolkata on Saturday, has postponed all his programs. Shah has said he will visit the Medical College Hospital on Sunday morning to meet the injured.
Chief Minister Adhikari said, “This is a tragic incident. 19 people have lost their lives, 17 of whom died on the spot. 25 people have been injured. Of these, 24 are out of danger, while one is in critical condition. The government is making every possible effort. We have been working overnight and have also announced compensation.”
He said that the families of the deceased will receive a compensation of 2.5 million rupees and a government job for each dependent, while the injured will receive 500,000 rupees each. The state government will bear the entire cost of the injured’s treatment.
He said, “The Union Home Minister’s scheduled programs have been cancelled. We stand with all the affected families. The families of the deceased will receive a compensation of 2.5 million rupees each and a government job. The government will bear the entire cost of the injured’s treatment and they will also receive a compensation of 500,000 rupees each.” Amit Shah will visit the Medical College at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
The official said he would write to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court requesting the formation of a fact-finding committee.
“This committee will include the Special Task Force (STF) and forensic teams,” he said. He added that Prime Minister Modi has requested a detailed report from the Chief Secretary on the incident and announced compensation and relief funds for the affected families.
