Kolkata: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said the stampede at the Chorbagan puja pandal, which left 19 people dead, could have been averted through better coordination between the police and organisers. He asked CP Ajay Nand to ensure heightened vigilance during Kali Puja.Speaking at a Kolkata Police event in Lalbazar, the CM said, “This year, 69,000 idols were immersed. The state recognised and supported 58,000 pujas. Nothing happened in such a big state. Had there been better coordination, the Chorbagan tragedy could have been avoided. I do not want to say much about the incident. I am deeply pained by what happened.”Emphasising the need for coordination during large gatherings, he said cops, volunteers and organisers must work in close cooperation. “We must learn a lesson from the Chorbagan incident. Good and proper coordination among volunteers, cops and organisers is essential during such large gatherings, festivals and events,” he said.Adhikari said the state would act on the recommendations of the SIT formed to probe the tragedy. “We have not kept the responsibility of probe in our hands. We have constituted an SIT. Whatever report it submits, we will implement,” he said.Adhikari said around 3,400 Kali Pujas would be held across Kolkata and asked the CP to personally monitor security arrangements. He also stressed the need for adequate surveillance and crowd management at river ghats during Chhath Puja. “I request you all to work sincerely. There are around 3,400 Kali Pujas in Kolkata. I would like to ask the CP to look into the arrangements very carefully. We will have to maintain good and proper coordination,” he said.
