Stories
Tragic Chorbagan Stampede Claims Lives of Mother and Son, Deep Grief in Purba Bardhaman
- •A mother and her son from Purba Bardhaman lost their lives in a tragic stampede at a puja marquee in Chorbagan while visiting Kolkata for Durga Puja.
- •The victims have been identified as Tagar Bej and her 14-year-old son Sandip Bej, alongside Piyali Pramanik from Arambagh.
- •The simultaneous deaths of the family members have cast a shadow of profound grief over their native villages in Purba Bardhaman and Arambagh.
- •In response to the incident, Kolkata Police has imposed a three-day prohibitory order under Section 163 of the BNSS in specific areas of Bowbazar to maintain law and order.
Key Questions Answered
The stampede occurred on Saturday evening during heavy rainfall when a massive crowd gathered to view the idols, causing severe congestion and confusion near the exit gate of the Sharda Park puja pandal in Chorbagan, leading people to lose their balance and fall.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda imposed a three-day ban from October 18 to October 20, 2026, under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, prohibiting unlawful gatherings of five or more persons, carrying dangerous weapons, and processions in specific areas of Bowbazar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of those who lost their lives, and Rs. 50,000 for the injured. Additionally, the state government announced financial assistance of 25 lakh rupees and a government job for a family member of each deceased, alongside 5 lakh rupees for the injured.
