Kolkata, 24 October (H.S.): Days after a horrific stampede claimed 19 lives, the Durga idol of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab was taken for immersion at Nimtala Ghat on Saturday afternoon. The immersion process was conducted under strict supervision and heavy deployment of the Kolkata Police. To facilitate the idol's exit from the pandal, a section of the main entrance gate had to be cut down on Friday.

As the massive idol was brought to the dismantled gate section, it was adorned with garlands. It took the combined effort of 36 laborers, specially brought in from Baruipur for the task, to carefully maneuver the idol out of the narrow lanes and onto the main road. The neighborhood witnessed somber scenes as local women lined the streets, folding their hands and offering tearful farewells to the deity.

In a stark departure from typical festive immersions, not a single member or official of the Chorbagan Puja Committee was present to oversee the proceedings. The entire logistical operation was managed by the Kolkata Police. Eventually, the police requested an official from the nearby Simla Byayam Samiti Puja committee to assist in guiding the procession to the ghat.

The idol was mounted onto a heavy iron cart equipped with ropes and bamboo supports, and pulled along Central Avenue towards Nimtala Ghat under tight police escort.

The atmosphere in the locality remained heavy with grief. An elderly woman, tearfully bowing to the idol, said, I pray that such a tragedy never happens again. We saw so many deaths unfold before our eyes. So many families have been destroyed. I hope we never have to witness such dark days again. Another local resident echoed the sentiment, stating that the screams and terrifying scenes of the stampede continue to haunt the neighborhood.

While the Puja organizers were absent, several residents joined the somber procession. Walking ahead of the idol, some locals carried lit candles in a silent tribute to the victims. A truck accompanying the procession displayed a black banner offering deep condolences and expressing solidarity with the families of the deceased and the injured.

The tragic stampede occurred on the evening of Saptami (October 17), resulting in 19 deaths and leaving 25 people injured. The police have arrested nine individuals in connection with the incident so far.

A six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by an Assistant Commissioner of the Detective Department, is actively probing the circumstances that led to the fatal crowd crush. The SIT, which has already reconstructed the sequence of events by analyzing CCTV footage and questioning civic volunteers and club members, visited the pandal again on Thursday morning. A forensic team also inspected the site.

Following an inspection by retired Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati, head of a specially appointed commission, it was announced that while the idol would be immersed, the pandal structure would remain intact pending further investigation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh