At least 19 people killed and 35 injured after stampede at Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata :::: PM Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh

According to Kolkata Police, the stampede occurred at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Durga Puja pandal, under Girish Park police station, as devotees gathered in large numbers despite the rain.   

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each person who died. Those injured will receive Rs 50,000 each.

The police said around 35 people had been taken to MCH at the time of its statement, adding that further details were awaited.  At least 19 people were killed and around 35 injured after a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata on Saptami evening.

The incident occurred around 7.40 pm on October 17 amid heavy crowding and rain, with reports suggesting that a section of the pandal collapsed under crowd pressure.

The injured were rescued and taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (MCH) for treatment. Police, fire brigade personnel and disaster management teams were deployed at the site, and the pandal was subsequently closed to visitors.  

Jayanta Banerjee, general secretary of the Chorbagan Durga Puja Committee, has resigned from his post following the stampede. All other office-bearers of the committee have also confirmed their resignations in the aftermath of the incident.

West Bengal minister Umesh Rai confirmed the deaths in the Chorbagan stampede. He said all state government programmes scheduled for tomorrow have been cancelled, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s pre-scheduled meeting.

EYEWITNESSES CITE NARROW GATES, POOR LIGHTING

An eyewitness said that several people lost consciousness amid the rush and that some were taken away on motorcycles.  

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal reached Calcutta Medical College and Hospital following reports of the incident. West Bengal Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee also visited the injured at the hospital.