Kolkata Police have taken into custody the treasurer of a prominent Durga Puja committee following a chaotic stampede-like incident triggered by an alarming announcement over the public address system, senior officials confirmed on Monday.

The incident took place amid peak festive footfall when thousands of revellers had gathered to view the idol installation. According to law enforcement authorities, the accused allegedly broadcast an urgent, unverified alert warning visitors of impending structural danger or imminent closure, which induced sudden panic among the densely packed crowd.

Chaos at the Pandal

Witnesses recounted that as the announcement echoed through the loudspeakers, visitors inside the enclosure scrambled toward narrow exit points to escape. The abrupt surge overwhelmed private security personnel and volunteers on duty, causing several individuals to trip and sustain minor injuries in the ensuing rush.

Police personnel deployed nearby quickly intervened, opening perimeter barricades to disperse the surging crowd and prevent catastrophic casualties. Medical teams stationed in the vicinity provided first aid to those caught in the crush, while at least two individuals were shifted to a nearby hospital for observation and later discharged in stable condition.

Police Action and Investigation

Following preliminary inquiries and a review of CCTV surveillance footage, police registered a case against the committee official under sections pertaining to public mischief, negligence endangering human life, and failure to comply with crowd management directives.

"The announcement was made without administrative authorization and directly contradicted on-ground safety protocols," a senior Kolkata Police officer said. "At crowded cultural events, public announcements must strictly follow established clearance chains. Irresponsible communications can produce lethal stampedes within seconds."

Key areas under review by investigators include:

* Audio Logs: Examination of the control booth logs to identify the exact wording and rationale behind the alert. * Crowd Flow Compliance: Verification of whether the Puja organizers maintained mandatory entry-exit widths stipulated during safety inspections. * Security Deployment: Assessing the response time of deployed volunteers and coordination with beat officers.

Tightened Festive Protocols

In the wake of the incident, the Kolkata Police administration has issued fresh guidelines to organizers across the city, mandating that microphone booths remain under the direct supervision of designated safety marshals or police liaisons.

Organizers have been warned that any deviation from crowd control norms, structural clearance protocols, or unauthorized emergency broadcasts will invite stringent legal action as festive gatherings reach peak attendance across the metropolitan area.