Kolkata stampede toll at 19; 7 held as Bengal govt orders SIT amid blame game over crowd control lapses
The West Bengal government will set up an SIT to investigate the tragedy, while 25 people remain under treatment, including two in intensive care.
Kolkata's chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari, announced safety measures and a probe into the stampede that killed 19 people and injured 25 at a Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata on Saturday. The opposition targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the incident, questioning the authorities' response and alleging inadequate crowd management, a lack of police presence, and no emergency arrangements.
Adhikari pledged to hold those responsible accountable and formed a Special Investigation Team to investigate the incident under a sitting judge. A high-level panel will also review safety arrangements at major Durga Puja pandals across the state. Adhikari reviewed the Traffic Control Room's functioning, focusing on traffic management, regulation of vehicular movement, and ensuring safe commuting.
The Mamata All India Trinamool Congress accused the Chief Minister and Kolkata Police of failing to prepare the ground adequately, raising allegations about the puja committee's takeover by the ruling dispensation in mid-July.
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