The government is learnt to have decided to offer Rs 2 lakh compensation to Karmakar's family. A MAN was killed and eight persons injured after an ox ran amok at a Durga idol immersion carnival on Friday night in Raiganj in North Dinajpur district, police said.
The deceased, Sadhan Karmakar, was taken to Raiganj Medical College and Hospital in critical condition, but succumbed to injuries during treatment. The injured are undergoing treatment at the same hospital.
During the idol immersion carnival, Anushilan Club had arranged oxen-driven carriages for the idols’ procession. However, an ox suddenly started attacking people at the carnival. Later, the ox ran away from the spot.
Sadhan Karmakar, the president of Bharat Sevak Sangha, was walking in a procession along with the tableau of his Durga Puja committee in Raiganj on Friday evening when the bull, which was brought in to pull the tableau of another puja committee, attacked him from behind, they said. The bull pinned him down to the ground and trampled on him, they added.
He died of excessive blood loss while undergoing treatment at the Raiganj superspeciality hospital, local MLA Krishna Kalyani said. “It is a freak incident. We are saddened by the tragic death. He was rushed to the hospital almost immediately but due to excessive blood loss, we could not save him,” said Kalyani, who returned to the TMC after winning the Raiganj seat on a BJP ticket in last year’s election.
Demanding compensation from the state government, Julie, daughter of the deceased, told mediapersons, “I lost my father. He was taking care of the family and my ailing mother. How will we survive now? The Durga Puja committee and the state government are responsible for his death. Why were oxen used to carry idols? Why was proper training not given before using the animals? Why did the government allow such things to take place? I urge the state government to provide compensation to us.”
It has been learnt that the administration has decided to offer Rs 2 lakh compensation to the bereaved family.
The BJP hit out at the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government for failing to ensure the safety of the people during such events.
“How long will this continue to happen? On Wednesday eight people were killed. Last night another person died during a puja carnival. How long will the people pay the price for the state government’s decision to hold puja carnivals? Animals were brought in to showcase the idols. Why were they used in an event like this? Why cannot the state government take proper measures to prevent such incidents?” asked BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya.
The Trinamool Congress, however, criticised the BJP for “politicising” the incident. “The saffron camp has no other work than politicising issues like these. Their leaders are unnecessarily trying to reap political dividends out of tragic incidents. This is very unfortunate,” said TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar.
To celebrate the UNESCO honour, the West Bengal government organised such processions, named carnival, in every district headquarters town of the state on Friday with top Durga Puja committees of the area showcasing their idols and craftsmanship before going for immersions.
—WITH PTI INPUTS