Kolkata, 23 October (H.S.) :

Kolkata Police have arrested a second announcer in connection with the severe stampede that broke out at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal on Mahasaptami evening. The accused, identified as Kushal Majumdar, has been taken to the Lalbazar police headquarters for intensive interrogation. This development follows the arrest of the first accused, Puja Committee Treasurer Sanjeev Raha alias Sentu, who was apprehended from the Nadia district on Thursday. With this, the number of individuals arrested for allegedly spreading panic through misleading announcements has risen to two.

The tragic incident unfolded on Mahasaptami when the pandal was heavily crowded with devotees. Amidst the ensuing rush and mismanagement, a sudden and irresponsible announcement was made over the public address system claiming, The pandal is collapsing! This false alarm acted as a catalyst, sparking widespread panic among the visitors inside. In a desperate bid to save their lives, the crowd surged toward the exit, triggering a stampede. Disturbing videos that subsequently surfaced on social media showed people falling and being crushed near the barricaded winding pathways and the exit gate. Police investigations and CCTV footage confirmed that the announcement urging immediate evacuation was made from a club members' room located near the exit.

Since the incident, investigators have been meticulously probing the origin of the announcement and the intent behind it. Based on CCTV evidence, the two suspects were quickly identified. While Sentu managed to flee the scene immediately, investigators noted that his personal mobile phone was switched off. However, he attempted to contact family and friends using eight different untraceable numbers. Tracking these numbers, the police successfully located and arrested him at a secret hideout in Nadia. According to authorities, both arrested individuals, Sentu and Kushal, reside on Amar Basu Sarani, barely 50 meters away from the pandal. Detectives at Lalbazar are now strictly interrogating the duo to uncover why the chaotic announcement was made and whether it was the result of a deliberate conspiracy or specific instructions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh