In a shocking turn at West Bengal’s iconic Gangasagar Mela, a raging fire consumed several temporary shelters, prompting fierce political backlash against the ruling dispensation. The annual pilgrimage to Sagar Island peaked with the holy bath on Tuesday, but joy turned to dread as fire swept through the tented accommodations.
Reports indicate the fire originated near a cluster of eateries, possibly from a gas cylinder leak or faulty wiring. Within minutes, the flames leaped from one tent to another, destroying goods worth lakhs and forcing an evacuation of the surrounding area. Firefighters battled the blaze heroically, using water from the nearby sea to supplement limited resources.
No lives were lost, a miracle given the massive crowds, but the economic toll is heavy. Small traders, many from neighboring states, saw their season’s earnings vanish in smoke. Relief operations have kicked in, distributing essentials to the displaced.
The BJP has seized the moment to expose what it calls systemic failures under TMC rule. ‘Reckless planning and zero safety audits led to this preventable tragedy,’ stated party spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya. They urged Governor CV Ananda Bose to intervene for a thorough inquiry and punitive action against errant officials.
With the mela set to conclude soon, enhanced patrols and safety drills are now in place. This fire not only disrupts the sacred event but reignites debates on regulating massive gatherings in a state prone to such oversights. Pilgrims pray for better safeguards in the years ahead.