Kolkata, October 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each person killed in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojonin Durga Puja pandal on Muktarambabu Street in North Kolkata on Saturday. The tragedy reportedly claimed 17 lives and left 25 people seriously injured.
Expressing grief over the incident, Modi said the stampede was deeply saddening and conveyed his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. He also wished those injured a speedy recovery.
The Prime Minister said the West Bengal government was extending all possible assistance to the affected families and those receiving treatment.
In a statement posted on X, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed the financial assistance. The next of kin of each deceased victim will receive ₹2 lakh, while those injured in the incident will be provided ₹50,000 each.
The announcement came amid an outpouring of condolences from senior political leaders and public representatives following the tragedy during the Durga Puja festivities.
President, Vice President Express Grief
President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, describing the news as extremely heartbreaking. She conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan also said he was deeply anguished by the stampede. In his message on X, he extended heartfelt condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones and wished the injured a swift recovery.
West Bengal Governor R. N. Ravi expressed sadness over the deaths in a statement issued by his office.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata,” the statement said, conveying condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the recovery of those injured.
Amit Shah Postpones Durga Puja Engagements
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed distress over the casualties and said the administration was making arrangements to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured.
Shah conveyed his condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for peace for the departed souls. He also said he was in touch with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari regarding the incident.
In view of the tragedy, the Home Minister announced that he would postpone all his scheduled programmes in West Bengal on Sunday. He said he intended to visit the injured in hospital and prayed to Goddess Durga for their speedy recovery.
Shah’s decision came as authorities continued efforts to assist those affected by the stampede and provide medical care to the injured.
Leaders Across States Offer Condolences
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for strength for those dealing with the loss of their loved ones. He also sought the speedy recovery of the injured.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the incident as particularly painful because it had brought grief to several families during a period of religious celebration.
Chouhan conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for peace for the departed souls and recovery for those injured.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed deep sadness over the loss of life. He said relief and rescue efforts were underway to ensure timely assistance to everyone affected by the incident.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to party leaders and workers to extend every possible assistance to the victims and their families during the difficult period.
Tragedy Casts Shadow Over Festivities
The stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojonin community Durga Puja pandal cast a shadow over the festive celebrations in Kolkata, where large crowds gather during the annual festival to visit decorated pandals and participate in religious observances.
The announcement of financial assistance from the PMNRF and the messages from national and state leaders underscored the scale of grief following the incident. The immediate priority remained medical treatment for the injured and support for families who lost relatives.
With 17 people reported dead and 25 seriously injured, the tragedy prompted expressions of solidarity across political lines, with leaders offering condolences and calling for assistance to those affected.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
