Kolkata stampede: 7 arrested over 19 deaths
Seven people, including office-bearers of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja organizing committee, have been arrested in connection with a stampede that killed 19 people and injured 25 in Kolkata on Saturday, according to the Kolkata Police. The arrested individuals include Raj Kumar Sewda (secretary), Santanu Dubey (vice president), and Biplab Mukherjee (involved in construction), among others.
The stampede occurred at a pandal amid rain on the day of Maha Saptami, with police citing mismanagement and confusing announcements as possible triggers. Inadequate crowd control and insufficient security personnel are also suspected to have contributed to the tragedy. CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts have been gathered as evidence, and forensic teams are investigating the scene.
The police commissioner has imposed prohibitory orders on roads surrounding the pandal to prevent gatherings and ensure safety. The West Bengal government has ordered safety inspections at major Durga Puja venues and formed a special investigation team to probe the incident.
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