West Bengal boosts security for Durga Puja immersions after deadly stampede
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reviewed immersion plans at Babughat, announcing tighter security and NDRF involvement following a stampede that killed 19 people.
Suvendu Adhikari, together with Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand and Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey, surveyed the Babughat immersion venue and discussed steps to ensure a smooth Bijaya Dashami procession. In response to the Mahasaptami stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal that claimed 19 lives, the state has reinforced security and enlisted the National Disaster Response Force. Cleaning operations will commence once the immersions conclude.
Officials named Praveen Kumar Tripathi, Imran Wahab, Shish Ram Jhajharia, Soumya Roy, Parijat Biswas and Siddhartha Dhapola will be on duty in Kolkata on October 22 and 24. In Howrah, Indra Chakraborty and Avaru Ravindranath will supervise on designated days, while Palash Chandra Dhali, Dyutiman Bhattacharya, Abhijit Banerjee and Sandeep Mandal have been tasked with overseeing the process in Barrackpore and Chandannagar.
Why it matters
Enhanced safety measures aim to prevent further casualties during a major cultural festival after a tragic stampede.
In this story
