Remain vigilant during Diwali, Kali Puja: Suvendu tells Kolkata Police after Chorbagan tragedy

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede that claimed 19 lives could have been avoided with "better coordination" between the police and the organisers, and urged Kolkata CP Ajay Nand to remain vigilant during the upcoming Kali Puja and Diwali celebrations.

Referring to an SIT constituted to investigate the stampede last month, Adhikari said his government would implement the recommendations of the special investigation team to avoid such an incident in future.

"If there had been better coordination, we could have avoided the Chorbagan tragedy. I will not speak much on this matter. I am deeply pained by the incident," Adhikari said at a Kolkata Police event here.


The chief minister also said, "I request you all that for big gatherings and events, proper coordination among volunteers, police personnel and organisers must be maintained. I think we will learn a lesson from the Chorbagan incident."

Adhikari also asked the police administration to ensure better coordination during the upcoming Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja celebrations to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.

"I will ask you all to please work very sincerely. There are around 3,400 (Kali) Pujas being held in Kolkata. I will ask CP to please look into the matter very carefully. Also keep a watch on the river ghats for the Chhath festival," Adhikari said at the event.

Nineteen people were killed and 25 others injured in the stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal on October 17. So far, nine people have been arrested in connection with the incident.