In West Bengal, a local court today remanded seven people arrested in connection with the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede to 10 days of police custody. The stampede occurred last evening following a surge in the crowd amid rain, claiming 19 lives and leaving 25 injured.
Those arrested include the puja committee’s secretary and vice-president, along with two employees of a private security agency. Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the incident.
Earlier, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced formation of a high-level committee to review safety arrangements at major Durga Puja pandals across the state.
The state government has announced compensation of 25 lakh rupees and a job for the family of each deceased person. Centre has also announced ex-gracia of two lakh rupees to the next of kin of deceased persons, and fifty thousand rupees to those injured .
An investigation by the Special Task Force has also been initiated to establish accountability for the incident.
