A terrible tragedy has taken place during the Durga Puja celebrations in the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata. 19 people lost their lives and 25 others were seriously injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarvajanin Durga Puja Mandapam in North Kolkata. In the wake of this tragedy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Kolkata today and met the victims.

Amit Shah has postponed his previously scheduled programs in the state due to this tragic incident. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari arrived and met the injured who are undergoing treatment at a private nursing home in the city and inquired about their health condition. West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi and state Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee also visited the injured.

The Kolkata Police responded quickly to the incident. Initially, 14 people were detained, but after investigation, seven people, including the organizers of the puja committee and private security personnel, were arrested. The committee secretary and vice-president were among those arrested. The police have registered a case suo motu and have filed charges under manslaughter not amounting to murder.

Devotees were panicked due to sudden rain on Saturday evening. At the same time, a preliminary investigation revealed that confusion broke out due to false announcements made in the mandapam, leading to the stampede. Narrow entry and exit routes, shortage of security personnel, and failure to control the crowd were also identified as the main reasons for the tragedy. 

The government has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

On the other hand, the state government has promised a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased and a government job for one of the family members. The central government has also announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.