Politics · India Bureau
PM Modi announces relief after deadly Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced financial assistance following a stampede at a community Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata that claimed at least 10 lives. Modi pledged ₹2 lakh to the families of deceased victims and ₹50,000 for the injured.
LSN India ·
A tragic stampede erupted at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, leaving at least 10 people dead and several others injured. The incident occurred following a sudden crowd surge at the community celebration venue during the festival festivities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, stating that the stampede was "extremely distressing." In a post on social media, Modi said his thoughts were with those who had lost loved ones and hoped for the swift recovery of the injured. He assured that the local administration was providing all available assistance to those affected by the tragedy.
In response to the disaster, Modi announced financial relief measures from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. An ex gratia amount of ₹2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased individual, while injured persons will receive ₹50,000 each. Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit those hospitalized due to the incident.
The stampede has sparked concerns about crowd management and safety protocols at large public gatherings during major festivals across India. Authorities have initiated investigations into the circumstances that led to the deadly surge.