West Bengal tightens crowd safety for Kali Puja and Chhath Puja
Authorities have ordered increased security and emergency measures following a stampede in Calcutta that killed 19 people last month.
West Bengal authorities have ordered enhanced crowd management and emergency safety protocols for the upcoming Kali Puja and Chhath Puja festivals, according to Urban Acres. The decision follows a stampede at Chorebagan in Calcutta last month that resulted in 19 deaths.
State minister for libraries and mass education extension Gouri Shankar Ghosh directed officials in Malda to take extra precautions at festival venues and Chhath ghats. Ghosh stated that officials have learned from the Chorebagan incident and are preparing to protect devotees during large gatherings.
The minister alleged that opposition political forces might attempt to cause disturbances during the festivals. He also said the administration suspected sabotage in the Chorebagan incident, though no public evidence was cited to establish that claim.
In Jalpaiguri, state school education minister Dipak Barman said drones will be used to monitor crowd conditions at Chhath Puja ghats. Barman also stated that Kali Puja organisers must appoint a committee member for public announcements and that additional emergency exit gates are now mandatory.
Opposition leaders criticised the minister's remarks. Trinamool Congress leader Biswajit Ghosh said the administration should acknowledge its shortcomings rather than attributing the incident to political propaganda, while CPM leader Debjyoti Sinha also criticised the minister.
The administration is currently focused on implementing these arrangements at ghats and pandals before the festivals begin.