Stricter measures are in place at the various ghats in Kolkata after the Chorbagan puja pandal stampede that killed 19 people last week. Besides the state administration and Kolkata Police (KP), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been roped in.
“The Chorbagan incident occurred due to a moment’s slip. The Kolkata Police Detective Department is investigating the matter, and a notification has been issued today to the retired Chief Justice. A team has been formed,” said Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The Commissioner of Police(CP) has been asked to keep a list of names and identities of those who will be at the ghats to assist in immersing the idol of Goddess Durga. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that only those who follow the Sanatan tradition will be allowed to touch the idol. “The names and identities of those who attend the immersion will be recorded. Only those who follow the Sanatan religion can touch the idol. There is nothing communal about this,” said Adhikari while visiting the ghats in the city on Wednesday.
In previous years, idols were lifted from the water after immersion using a crane and then placed elsewhere. People objected to this due to sentimental reasons. This year, the state government announced that idols will be physically removed by men and placed elsewhere.
The CM has met the relatives of six of the 19 victims of the Chorbagan stampede in the state. He will visit the remaining families by October 24th to hand over the compensation cheque. One of them is from Bihar. The state government announced Rs.25 lakh compensation for the deceased families and Rs.5 lakh for the injured, besides the medical expenses. “It is my commitment. It is not just about going to their houses to hand over compensation,” said Adhikari.
Adhikari said visiting the families was important as it was also about securing their future. This included ensuring their government health cards and pension for elderly parents are in place.
Questions were raised over the state government’s decision to transfer the 25 injured from government-run Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) to private-run Apollo Hospital. The CM admitted that facilities in CMCH were inadequate. “Are health facilities at Medical College bad? Yes, which is why 25 people have been shifted to a private hospital,” said Adhikari, adding that things cannot be changed within six months.
The government has stated that idol immersions have to take place before October 24th. No DJs and loud music will be allowed during the procession leading to the ghats for idol immersion.
