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  • 14 minutes ago
A major incident at a Durga Puja pandal in West Bengal has left 25 people injured, prompting immediate administrative and investigative action. The place of occurrence has been cordoned off by Kolkata Police, forensic teams, and the fire brigade to collect evidence without contamination. A serious fact-finding committee has been constituted to establish the cause of the tragedy and submit an expedited report. Furthermore, Kolkata Police have been directed to detain and question security personnel, including private agencies and committee members, regarding potential lapses. In response to the tragedy, the state government announced that it will abstain from celebratory events, leading to the cancellation of official programmes, including a scheduled visit itinerary for Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Durga Puja committees across the state have been instructed to re-examine entry and exit points, coordinate closely with police personnel, and ensure foolproof safety measures to prevent any recurring incidents.
Transcript
00:00We have the audio statement of Suvendhu Adhikari, the Chief Minister. Let's listen in.
00:30We have the audio statement of Suvendhu Adhikari, the Chief Minister. Let's listen in.
01:00We have the audio statement of Suvendhu Adhikari, the Chief Minister. Let's listen in.
01:30We have the audio statement of Suvendhu Adhikari.
01:39Indrajeet, if you could translate what you could gather from that.
01:44Well, Anjali, what the Chief Minister has essentially said is that the investigation is underway, that the police, the fire
01:53department and the forensic teams from the police, they have taken position of the spot.
01:59And therefore, nobody should venture in that area. The Pandal, of course, has been sealed so that the forensic teams
02:06can gather evidence.
02:08He said that there are 25 people who are injured. So that's the number that the Chief Minister has quoted.
02:1225 people injured. The government will make all necessary steps for their proper treatment.
02:19He said that all the families who have...
02:22Right. Indrajeet, let's listen in once again.
02:48We want to give best treatment to those who are injured. That is our priority.
02:53So that they can be sent home healthy after they recover.
02:57However, I want to request all the Pooja Committee's investment costs.
03:05Please work with the police and help them operate them.
03:13And each and every Durga Puja Committee must re-look at the exit and at their pandals and work with
03:20the police so that there is no scope of such an incident once again.
03:32So I request all the Pooja Committee's to fully cooperate with the administration and the police.
03:38I want to assure all the people of the state that the government will provide full-proof security for the
03:50Durga Puja celebrations.
03:55But the government will not take part in any celebrations in light of this incident.
04:05Bengal chief minister has announced that all the itinerary that was there meant for Home and Establisha who was on
04:16a tour to Bengal now stands cancelled.
04:19All government events stand cancelled.
04:24A fact-finding committee has been formed to probe the incident and they will submit their report very soon.
04:32A fact-finding committee has announced that all the Pooja Committee has been instructed to immediately detain the security agencies,
04:46both private, from the Durga Puja Committee and those at the Durga Puja Committee, to be detained immediately so that
04:53they can be questioned for lapses.
04:56I request everybody not to contaminate the place of occurrence.
05:02Forensic teams have reached, Kolkata police is there and the fire department has reached so that they can gather evidence.
05:21We will provide the best of treatment to all the 25 people who have been injured.
05:26They are our priority right now.
05:30And those families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy, the government will stand firmly behind them.
05:41So we were just hearing the chief minister, Suvindu Adhikari, there clearly giving out directions to the Pooja committees over
05:49there, Rash.
05:49Thank you very much.

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