NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday visited Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where people injured in the stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata are undergoing treatment.At least 19 people were killed and 25 injured in the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on Saturday evening, following a surge in the crowd amid rain.Kolkata Police have registered a suo motu case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the incident, an officer said. Police are also working to identify those killed in the stampede.Shah had earlier expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, describing the incident as “extremely distressing”. He also said he had spoken to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to take stock of the situation.Following the tragedy, Kolkata Police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in parts of the city for three days, from October 18 to October 20, to maintain law and order.
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According to an order issued by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, the restrictions cover areas under the jurisdiction of Bowbazar police station, bounded by College Street, Central Avenue (CR Avenue), Colootola Street and Eden Hospital Road.The order prohibits unlawful assemblies of five or more people, carrying lathis or other lethal and dangerous weapons, and any activity likely to disturb public tranquillity or cause a breach of peace in the designated area.The order states: “Now, therefore, in exercise of the power conferred by Sub-Section (1) of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 read with the Sub-Section (3) of the said Section, I, Ajay Nand, Commissioner of Police, Kolkata being an Executive Magistrate for the Metropolitan area of Kolkata as well as in the district of South 24 Parganas(within the limits of the suburbs of Kolkata falling under Kolkata police jurisdiction) do hereby prohibit for a period of 03(three) days from 18.10.2026 to 20.10.2026 or until further order, any unlawful assembly of 05(five) or more persons, carrying of lathi, any lethal or other dangerous weapons or doing of any act which is likely to cause breach of the peace and disturbances of the public tranquility within the said Area in the town of Kolkata.“The restrictions were imposed amid concerns that demonstrations, rallies and meetings could lead to violence and affect public safety. They will remain in force until October 20 or until further orders.
