Kolkata, Oct 18 West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh on Sunday urged Durga Puja committees to ensure crowd circulation and take measures to prevent any more stampede-like situations.
His comments came after 19 people lost their lives and 25 others were injured in a stampede at Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata following a crowd surge amid rain on Saturday evening.
Speaking to reporters, Ghosh, the Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development, said the stampede likely happened due to an overwhelming crowd surge.
“The Chorbagan incident is deeply distressing. People have been visiting pandals for years, but such an incident had never happened before. Large celebrations draw lakhs of people; such tragedies should never happen,” he said.
“Organisers must ensure crowd safety. Puja committees must take preventive measures in consultation with police to ensure crowd circulation. The state government is doing everything to ensure proper treatment of those injured,” he added.
(PTI News)
