West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the families of three individuals who lost their lives in the recent stampede during the Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata. On Tuesday, he handed over ex gratia compensation of Rs 25 lakh to each family member. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday evening at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal, resulting in the deaths of nineteen people and injuries to twenty-five others.

Adhikari’s first stop was in Purba Bardhaman district, where he met the family of Togor Bej, aged 37, and her son Sandip Bej, aged 14. During his visit, he expressed his condolences and assured the family of all possible support. He acknowledged the profound loss they experienced, stating, “I have no words to console you, nor do I have the power to bring back those who have left us. I can feel your pain. I am handing over Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to you.”

Following this, the Chief Minister visited the family of Piyali Pramanik in Arambagh, Hooghly district. Pramanik, who was Togor’s sister-in-law, also died in the stampede. Adhikari presented the compensation cheque and paid his respects, assuring the family, “I am with you all. Do not worry. Unlike the previous government, we believe not in words but in action.”

Govt Response and Accountability

In his interactions with the media, Adhikari expressed criticism towards the previous Trinamool Congress government regarding its management of similar incidents. He highlighted the importance of taking responsibility and stated, “Unlike my predecessor, I consider this one of my responsibilities. In earlier instances, aggrieved families had to approach the Calcutta High Court or the Supreme Court to get an inquiry ordered.”

Adhikari further emphasised the unprecedented nature of the compensation being offered, questioning, “Have you ever heard of a government paying compensation of Rs 25 lakh?” This statement underscored his administration’s commitment to addressing the needs of the affected families directly.

In addition to the compensation, the Chief Minister announced that the chief secretary had contacted the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court on Monday, requesting the appointment of a sitting judge to conduct an investigation into the stampede. He noted that representatives from the Kolkata Police and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation would not be part of the inquiry team, as the incident occurred within their jurisdiction.

Judicial Investigation Initiated

The Chief Minister’s visits to the bereaved families came in the wake of the tragic stampede, which has raised significant concerns regarding public safety during large gatherings. The state government is now seeking a judicial investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and to prevent future occurrences.

The compensation provided to the families of the deceased is part of the government’s immediate response to the tragedy. Officials are expected to work closely with judicial authorities to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted, aiming to provide clarity and accountability regarding the events that transpired.

As the state grapples with the aftermath of this incident, the focus remains on supporting the affected families and implementing measures to enhance safety at public events. The Chief Minister’s actions reflect a commitment to addressing the needs of those impacted by the tragedy while also ensuring that lessons are learned for the future.

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