Footage from 16 CCTV cameras missing in Kolkata stampede probe

Footage from 16 of the 32 CCTV cameras installed in and around the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal, where a stampede claimed 19 lives on October 17, remains unavailable, police said on Monday.

Twenty-five people were also injured in the stampede, allegedly triggered by a loudspeaker announcement that the pandal was collapsing.

"There were around 32 CCTVs installed in and around the puja pandal. We could not find the footage from 16 of those. The recording is required to ascertain how the stampede-like situation occurred and what led to the tragedy," a senior police officer told PTI.

The officer said all efforts were being made to obtain the missing footage, which investigators consider crucial to reconstructing the sequence of events leading to the tragedy.

𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱

As part of the investigation, police have summoned pandal designer Sushanta Shibani Pal and 12 personnel deployed at the venue on the night of the incident for questioning.

Pal has been directed to appear at the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar by Wednesday.

"Investigators would question him about the pandal's design and construction, the arrangements made for visitors and the layout intended to facilitate the movement of crowds," the officer said.

Police are examining whether the arrangements at the venue were adequate to handle the movement of visitors and prevent overcrowding.

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆

The role of police personnel stationed outside the pandal and near its entry and exit points is also under examination.

"The role of policemen deployed outside the pandal, and near its entry and exit points, is also under scrutiny. We have asked these personnel to appear before investigators for questioning," the officer said.

Three eyewitnesses were also summoned to Lalbazar on Monday to record their statements.

So far, police have arrested nine people in connection with the stampede and recorded statements from around 60 individuals, including several injured in the incident, home guards, civic volunteers, private security personnel and local residents.

𝗦𝗜𝗧 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

The West Bengal government has constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by retired Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati, to investigate the incident.

The SIT has been directed to submit its findings and recommendations within three months.

The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the stampede, crowd management arrangements and the responsibilities of those involved in organising and supervising the Durga Puja event.