{
  "id": 15410067,
  "title": "Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Pandal Stampede: Kolkata Police Cancel VIP Passes, Tighten Security & Crowd Control At Puja Pandals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/chorbagan-sarbojanin-durga-pandal-stampede-kolkata-police-cancel-vip",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T12:00:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/chorbagan-sarbojanin-durga-pandal-stampede-kolkata-police-cancel-vip-passes-tighten-security-crowd-control-at-puja-pandals"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the aftermath of a deadly stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, city police have announced several new measures aimed at ensuring crowd control and maintaining security. All VIP passes to visit the pandals have been cancelled, and food stalls will no longer be allowed at entry and exit points. Police Commissioner Ajay Nand has issued instructions to all police stations in Kolkata, emphasizing the need for constant communication between police and security personnel. Public address systems will be strictly controlled by the police, and at least one Police Constable will be present at each pandal. Entry and exit points will be kept empty, and adequate lighting inside the pandals and their surroundings is required. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has canceled his visit to Kolkata for the Durga Puja after the incident, which killed 19 people and injured 25. Seven individuals, including organizers, have been arrested in connection with the stampede. The tragedy occurred when a portion of the exit gate structure collapsed, leading to a chaotic scene as thousands of devotees surged into the pandal area.",
  "summary": "Kolkata: A day after 19 people were killed in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, the city police on Sunday issued several instructions for police personnel and puja organisers for the remainder of puja days. The major instruction among them is that all VIP passes to visit the pandals have been cancelled. It has been instructed that no food stalls of any kind can be kept at the entry…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "'Extremely Heartbreaking': Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, Aaditya Thackeray On Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Stampede That Left 19 Dead",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/extremely-heartbreaking-maharashtra-cm-fadnavis-aaditya-thackeray-on",
        "published": "2026-10-18T07:03:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "‘Pandal will collapse’: The warning that may have triggered Kolkata Durga Puja stampede that killed 19",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/pandal-will-collapse-the-warning-that-may-have-triggered-kolkata",
        "published": "2026-10-18T10:57:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Kolkata Durga Puja stampede hits BJP amid row over leaders’ role in Bengal’s puja committees",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/kolkata-durga-puja-stampede-hits-bjp-amid-row-over-leaders-role-in",
        "published": "2026-10-18T12:35:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV - India News",
        "title": "10-Day Police Custody For 7 Accused In Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Stampede",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/10-day-police-custody-for-7-accused-in-kolkata-durga-puja-pandal",
        "published": "2026-10-18T13:01:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Kolkata stampede: Did collapse warning trigger panic that killed 19? How the tragedy unfolded",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/kolkata-stampede-did-collapse-warning-trigger-panic-that-killed-19",
        "published": "2026-10-18T13:05:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "UPSC KEY: Kolkata Stampede, Right to access internet, and Calling Name Presentation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/upsc-key-kolkata-stampede-right-to-access-internet-and-calling-name",
        "published": "2026-10-18T13:26:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Durga Puja reflects tradition of revering women's strength: President Murmu",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/durga-puja-reflects-tradition-of-revering-womens-strength-president",
        "published": "2026-10-18T14:05:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}