Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Oct 18: The West Bengal Police have arrested seven people, including organisers of a Durga Puja pandal in Chorbagan, north Kolkata, a day after a stampede at the venue claimed 19 lives, officials said on Sunday.
The police have also registered a suo motu case at Girish Park Police Station under Sections 105, 110 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Officials said more arrests could follow as the investigation progresses.
Those arrested include Raj Kumar Sewda alias Raja, 48, the secretary of the organising committee; Santanu Dubey, 55, its vice-president; and Biplab Mukherjee alias Joy, 48, who was involved in constructing the bamboo structure.
The other accused are Koushik Saha, 53, and Pintu Dey, 51, who were responsible for crowd management and checking VIP passes. Private security personnel Suman Chakraborty, 30, and Rajesh Pal, 29, have also been arrested.
Police said 14 people had initially been detained for questioning, of whom seven were subsequently arrested. The process of identifying the deceased was still underway.
The arrests came after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari promised strict action against those responsible for the tragedy. On Sunday, Adhikari visited the injured at Apollo Hospital along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The chief minister announced that a high-level committee headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court would investigate the incident. The team would include representatives of the Special Task Force (STF), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and other departments.
He also announced a safety review of major Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal. Police will examine CCTV footage to establish the circumstances leading to the stampede and determine whether negligence contributed to the tragedy.
Adhikari said the Prime Minister had been informed about the incident and that the Union Home Minister was monitoring the situation in Kolkata.
The state government has also announced ex gratia assistance for the families of the deceased and promised Group D government jobs to eligible family members.
The investigation is continuing, with police examining the available evidence and questioning those detained in connection with the incident.