Minister to visit Muzaffarpur; compensation cheques to be handed over
Muzaffarpur, Bihar — West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said he was sending Minister of State Umesh Rai to Muzaffarpur to meet the families of two people who died in the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede and to hand over compensation cheques. The announcement followed Adhikari's house-to-house visits to victims' families in West Bengal.
Adhikari, who has been visiting the homes of those who died in the October 17 incident in north Kolkata, told reporters that with his most recent visit to the Jana family in Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur, he has met all 17 families of victims residing in West Bengal. He reiterated that the state would provide assistance to affected families and that officials were being dispatched to follow up on the matter in Bihar.
"I am sending Minister of State Umesh Rai to Muzaffarpur with compensation cheques," Adhikari said.
Inquiry panel constituted; report to be tabled in Assembly
Adhikari said the West Bengal government has constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the stampede. The panel is headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati and has been given three months to conduct the inquiry and make recommendations. The chief minister stated the SIT's report would be tabled before the state Assembly once completed.
Local leaders and families in Muzaffarpur will be looking for clarity on the nature and quantum of compensation, the timeline for disbursal, and any support measures for legal or medical requirements. The announcement that a minister will visit indicates the West Bengal government intends to extend the compensation and its outreach beyond state borders to the families of victims who reside in Bihar.
What has been announced so far
- Minister of State Umesh Rai to visit Muzaffarpur to meet two families of deceased persons.
- Compensation cheques will be handed over during the visit, according to the chief minister.
- A six-member SIT led by retired judge Anindita Roy Saraswati will probe the October 17 stampede; it has three months to submit its report.
The chief minister expressed that the state shared the grief of bereaved families and advised them to reach out in case of any requirement. He underscored the government's intent to be present with families of the deceased, mirroring his personal visits to victims' homes in West Bengal.
Panel details
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| SIT head | Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati (retired Calcutta High Court judge) |
| Number of members | Six |
| Timeframe | Three months |
| Outcome | Inquiry and recommendations; report to be tabled in state Assembly |
Further specifics on the amount of compensation, the date of the Muzaffarpur visit, and the identities of the Bihar families expected to receive cheques were not disclosed in the announcement. Officials in Muzaffarpur and at the Bihar administration level will need to coordinate with West Bengal counterparts when the minister arrives to ensure a smooth disbursal and any required verification.
Residents and civic representatives in Muzaffarpur are likely to monitor the visit closely for confirmation of the compensation figures and for any commitments regarding counselling or other support for the bereaved families who live in the district.
The chief minister also emphasised that the state administration remained pained by the incident and intended to follow up on commitments made to victims' families, both within West Bengal and in neighbouring Bihar.
