West Bengal: CM Adhikari Distributes Compensation Cheques To Bereaved Families, Assures Govt Support

Kolkata: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari met the families of the three victims who died in a tragic stampede at a Durga Puja pandal on Tuesday and presented each of them with a compensation cheque totaling Rs 25 lakh. Adhikari acknowledged that he could not bring back the deceased, but affirmed that he would stand by the bereaved families and provide them with assistance.

The Chief Minister emphasized that money alone could not replace a life, stating, “I cannot bring back those who have died but can stand by their bereaved families and can help them. I am by their side. I still think that money cannot be an alternative to life.” Adhikari was accompanied by local MLAs during the meeting.

Moumita Biswas Mishra, an MLA from Burdwan Dakshin, also attended the meeting. Speaking about the government's stance, Adhikari assured the public that they would be fully supported. The Chief Minister indicated that he would visit the remaining families on Wednesday to distribute the compensation to the survivors. One family he mentioned had a single breadwinner who lost their life, and the parents were senior citizens.

Adhikari pledged to find employment for the family and initiate old-age pensions for the senior citizens.

The Chief Minister criticized the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, highlighting that the current administration is “prompt” in their actions. Referring to the Kota Boat Tragedy during Durga Idol Immersion in Rajasthan, which left four youths missing, Adhikari criticized the previous Chief Minister for being preoccupied with festivities instead of addressing the issue promptly.

He added, “Nobody will have to teach us about our responsibilities. Last year 13 people died due to electrocution and flash floods in Nagrakata of Jalpaiguri. The previous Chief Minister was busy playing dandiya and holding puja carnival? Since my predecessor didn’t do so, that doesn’t mean that I won’t.”

Adhikari also visited the family of Togor Bej and her son, Sandip Bej, in East Burdwan, then proceeded to Arambagh in Hooghly district to meet the family of Piyali Pramanik, who succumbed to injuries in the stampede at the Chor Bagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata. He cautioned against the spread of false information on social media and directed the police to register cases under non-bailable sections against those who post misleading narratives about the incident.

Later in the evening, Adhikari, along with Health Minister Shaeadwat Mukherjee, visited the health control room to assess the operations in various hospitals.