The Chorbagan incident in Kolkata has prompted a police review of crowd-control arrangements, private security deployment and emergency access at puja venues after allegations that stalls occupied 15 feet of a 25-foot-wide road near the Chorbagan Sarbojanin puja pandal. Lalbazar has also ordered checks of the training, experience and qualifications of private security personnel deployed at different puja venues.
According to a report by Bartaman Patrika, Kolkata Police are investigating the circumstances behind the incident reported at the puja venue. The investigation is examining the role of the private security agency assigned to manage crowds. Allegations have been raised that some of the guards had not received adequate training for crowd management and that the agency’s experience and qualifications may not have been properly assessed.
Lalbazar has responded by directing checks of the private security workers deployed at puja pandals. Authorities are examining whether the personnel have the skills, preparation and capacity required to manage large gatherings, the report said. The review follows concerns over whether crowd-control responsibilities were assigned to personnel with suitable training and experience.
Police have seized CCTV footage from the Chorbagan site as part of the investigation. The footage is expected to form part of the evidence being examined by investigators. Police have also imposed restrictions in the area under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the provision that replaced Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code. The order prohibits gatherings of five or more people in the affected area.
Seven people have been arrested during the preliminary investigation on allegations of dereliction of duty, according to the report. Those arrested include the puja committee’s secretary and vice-president, as well as two officials of a private security agency and several others. The report does not provide details of the specific charges filed against each person or the next court proceedings.
The placement of stalls on the road has emerged as a separate point of concern. The road was reportedly around 25 feet wide, while stalls occupied approximately 15 feet, leaving only about 10 feet for movement. Questions have been raised over how such a large portion of the road was allowed to be occupied and why the stalls were not removed after the issue came to the police’s notice.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the practical safety arrangements at crowded puja venues: the width of available routes, the maintenance of emergency exits, the capability of private security staff and the extent of police monitoring. The immediate police measures announced in the report are the CCTV review, verification of security personnel and enforcement of the Section 163 restrictions while the investigation continues.
