PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Kolkata Stampede Victims

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each person who lost their life in the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. Those injured in the incident will receive Rs 50,000 each.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that the financial assistance had been announced to support the families of the deceased and those injured in the tragic incident.

"The Prime Minister has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the PMO stated.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing the stampede as "extremely distressing". He extended his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

"The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected," the PMO quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

West Bengal Governor RN Ravi also expressed grief over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.

In a statement shared on X, Lok Bhavan said, "I am deeply heartbroken by the tragic stampede incident at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, resulting in the loss of many precious lives. In this hour of grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured."

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that he would postpone all his scheduled programmes in West Bengal for Sunday, October 18, in view of the tragedy. He also spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari regarding the incident and expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

In a post on X, Shah said he had received distressing news about multiple casualties following the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal.

"I have just received the extremely distressing news of multiple casualties after the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. I have spoken with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari about this matter," Shah wrote.

He further expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and said that the administration was making arrangements to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.

The Home Minister also announced that he was postponing his scheduled programmes in West Bengal to visit the injured in the hospital. He prayed to Goddess Durga for their speedy recovery.

According to Kolkata Police, the stampede occurred at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja pandal, which falls under the Girish Park Police Station area. The incident took place at around 7:40 pm on Saturday amid heavy crowds of pandal visitors during rainfall.

Following the incident, the injured were shifted to hospitals for medical treatment, while the local administration took steps to assist those affected.

The tragedy occurred during the ongoing Durga Puja festivities, when large numbers of devotees and visitors were gathering at pandals across Kolkata to participate in the celebrations.

Authorities are continuing to respond to the situation and provide assistance to the injured and affected families.