Kolkata Stampede: Organisers of Chorebagan Durga Puja Pandal Detained, SIT Formed

Kolkata: Organisers of the Chorebagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata has been arrested by police after nineteen people were killed and 24 to 25 others injured in a stampede on Saturday evening. According to reports, police have detained 12 people, including the puja organisers, as they investigate.

The incident occurred at around 7 pm at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity pandal, amid heavy rain and lightning, according to reports. Those who died included 13 women and a child. Police said the 12 people detained on Saturday night included members of the organising committee. As per initial reports, seven of them are formally held, while the rest remained under questioning. The investigation is examining crowd mismanagement at the event.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said a Special Investigation Team headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court would probe the tragedy. He announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the family of victims who died, and reports said a government job would also be provided. Political leaders across party lines expressed grief, including former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.