Kolkata, Oct 20 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday alleged that “fake narratives” about the Kolkata stampede were being posted on social media from Bangladesh and warned of legal action against those who circulated or endorsed such content.
Hours earlier, the Special Task Force of West Bengal Police arrested a man from Cooch Behar district for allegedly spreading misinformation on social media about the toll in the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede three days ago.
Nineteen people were killed and 25 injured in a stampede at the Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening.
While visiting the victims of the stampede, the chief minister said, “Some fake narratives were being posted from Bangladesh. I have ordered that cases under non-bailable sections must be registered against those who liked and shared such posts.”
Referring to a social media post, Adhikari claimed the content had originated in Bangladesh and was subsequently shared by 135 people in West Bengal, including users in Cooch Behar.
“All of them will be booked. We will take strict action against anyone trying to disrupt law and order here,” he said.
Expressing anguish over the tragedy, he acknowledged that lapses had led to loss of life. “So many lives were lost because of a few mistakes. It is extremely painful. I am lost for words,” he said.
Responding to questions about the absence of CCTV footage of the spot where an announcement was made allegedly leading to the stampede, Adhikari said he would not interfere with the investigation. “I have constituted an SIT, and it will look into the matter. I have received a lot of footage. Why should I disclose everything?” he said. PTI SCH NSD
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