Chorbagan Incident: Kolkata Police Issues Guidelines; VIP Passes for Pandals Cancelled, Music Prohibited

Chorbagan Incident: Kolkata Police Issues Guidelines; VIP Passes for Pandals Cancelled, Music Prohibited

Following the death of 19 people in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata’s Chorbagan area, the police have issued strict guidelines for the remaining days of the festival. Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nanda has issued instructions to all police stations. Under the new guidelines, all VIP passes for entry into the pandals have been cancelled. Setting up food stalls near entry and exit gates is now prohibited, and it is mandatory to have at least one police constable stationed alongside volunteers at every pandal. The police will maintain control over the public address systems within the pandals, and police personnel will be provided with ‘manpack’ (portable) radio sets to ensure constant communication with the Puja organizing committees.