New Delhi, Oct 18 The CPI(M) on Sunday expressed anguish over the stampede at the Chorbagan Puja pandal in Kolkata and demanded accountability from the authorities, alleging that they had failed to ensure the safety of visitors.
In a statement, the party said it deeply mourned the deaths and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
The injured could have received the best medical facilities available at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, but the state government chose otherwise and acted as a “PR agency for a private-run hospital”, the statement said.
“No amount of sympathy and compensation will be enough for the affected people,” it added.
The CPI(M) alleged that the puja committee had been forcibly taken over from its previous organisers by the ruling dispensation in mid-July.
It said puja organisers were traditionally involved in year-long preparations, from deciding the concept and theme to mobilising resources and ensuring successful implementation of the event.
“The culprits who were busy in grabbing the Puja Committee under the ruling dispensation instead of adhering to well-established norms and traditions to fortify the safety and security of the visitors must be brought to book,” the statement said.
The party alleged that police and civic authorities, including the disaster management department, which usually gear up to protect visitors to puja pandals, were instead deployed to prevent and demolish progressive bookstalls and provide security for VVIPs and their “stooges”.
“These authorities must be held responsible, and heads must roll to establish accountability. The lack of proper planning for crowd management and absence of time-tested standard practices have led to such tragic and unwarranted incidents,” the CPI(M) said.
“The government must reprioritise its own business,” it added.
(PTI News)
