Kolkata pandal stampede: Mamata Banerjee expresses 'shock and grief', TMC alleges poor crowd management

Kolkata pandal stampede: Mamata expresses 'shock and grief', TMC alleges poor crowd management Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday expressed 'shock and grief' at the loss of life in the Kolkata stampede. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged a lack of police and poor crowd management.Footwear lies scattered outside a Durga Puja pandal after the exit gate collapsed due to heavy crowd pressure, leading to a stampede-like situation, in Kolkata on Saturday. (PTI)The TMC, in a post on X, following the tragic incident, wrote, "No police, no civic volunteers, no ambulances, no crowd management! This is what local residents are stating in the wake of the tragic stampede at Chorebagan Puja Pandal."Follow live updates on the Kolkata stampede here.Deep DiveThe party added, "@KolkataPolice and the @BJP4Bengal administration must answer for these grave lapses. Public safety cannot be treated so casually. As the death toll rises, who will take responsibility? Will @SuvenduWB accept accountability and resign?""On the very day @AmitShah arrives, Bengal is confronted with this heartbreaking tragedy. Shameful state of affairs," it added.Also Read | 18 dead after stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja pandal; CM Suvendu Adhikari reaches hospital'Little to no police presence to control the crowd': TMCIn another post on X, the TMC said, "@KolkataPolice, WHERE WAS THE SECURITY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE WHEN PEOPLE NEEDED YOU MOST?""Eyewitnesses and local residents allege that there was little to no police presence to control the crowd at Chorebagan Puja Pandal. In the aftermath of the stampede, it was ordinary citizens who stepped in to rescue the injured, the party added.It further said, "How many more lives must be put at risk before the @BJP4Bengal administration answers for these failures? Why does public safety take a back seat while VIP arrangements receive priority?"Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More