Kolkata stampede: SIT to run voice tests of two accused
Kolkata, Oct 24: The Kolkata Police has moved a local court, seeking permission to collect voice samples of two persons arrested in connection with the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede, as it probes into loudspeaker announcements in the pandal that allegedly sparked panic among revellers. Investigators want to match the voice samples of the arrested accused Sanjib Raha, the treasurer of the puja, and Kushal Majumdar with audio clips of the announcements made on October 17, when a stampede resulted in the death of 19 people, a senior officer said. Police have collected three to four audio and video clips of the announcements made around the time of the incident, he said. The investigators have also identified the clip in which the announcement can be heard, and initiated the process of examining the audio recordings, the Kolkata Police officer said. A loudspeaker announcement that a portion of the Chorbagan puja pandal was collapsing allegedly sparked panic among revellers. (PTI)
Five killed in fire at road construction site in Andhra
Pinakota (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 24: Five people were killed in a fire at a road construction site in Alluri Sitaramaraju district on Saturday while a pickup truck was being refuelled, a police official said. Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar said the incident occurred at Pinakota village in Anantagiri mandal, where workers transport diesel in drums to refuel vehicles as the site is around 100 km away. The workers may not have taken adequate precautions while filling the truck’s tank, and a spark could have triggered the fire, he said. “It was not a blast. I would call it an accidental fire. Five deaths is what we have been able to confirm so far,” Bardar said, adding that the incident occurred at around 8.30 am. The fire initially broke out in the pickup truck before spreading to a nearby dumper truck and a two-wheeler, all of which were completely gutted. (PTI)
Jantar Mantar violence: SC panel to record evidence
New Delhi, Oct 24: The Supreme Court-appointed High Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), probing the alleged violence during the July Jantar Mantar protests, will hold a two-day sitting here on October 29 and 30 to hear affected persons and record evidence on the alleged use of pellet guns and harassment of female protesters, officials said on Saturday. The panel will hold its proceedings from 11 am onwards at its office at Shiksha Sadan, they said. Members of the public and anyone affected by the violence can walk in between 11.30 am and 3 pm on October 29 and 30 to submit complaints or representations, or present evidence, provided they carry valid identity documentation. The committee will specifically examine the alleged use of pellet guns, targeted violence and harassment of female protesters, as well as instances of excessive force and property damage on both sides, officials said. The committee has also launched an online portal, hpec.nic.in. (PTI)