Kolkata, Oct. 25 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to attend a prayer meeting at Milan Mela on Monday for the victims of the Chorbagan stampede, as the state government seeks to express solidarity with the affected families.
Adhikari also called for three days of nationalism training every year, saying it would prevent "tukde-tukde" and "Azadi" groups from surviving. Referring to them as "cockroaches", he said pesticides should be applied.
The state government has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the stampede. The team has begun its investigation and is expected to visit Lalbazar to verify whether adequate police personnel were deployed at the pandal when the stampede occurred. Adhikari has said the SIT report will be tabled in the Assembly after three months. The team will also recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
Speaking to the media, Adhikari also said the government would recruit more police personnel to ensure the safety of the women he referred to as the "Lakshmis of Bengal". He said six of the 18 people facing the death penalty in the state whose appeals are pending have been accused in POCSO cases. He added that stringent action would be taken to ensure women's safety.
On border security, Adhikari said the BSF and police would work in tandem after an infiltration attempt was foiled in Cooch Behar.
The forces would take action to prevent such attempts, he said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.