Bengal Guv seeks arrest of organiser over Messi event chaos in Kolkata
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Kolkata: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Saturday termed the chaos surrounding Lionel Messi’s event at the Salt Lake Stadium a “dark day” for Kolkata’s sports-loving public and directed the state government to arrest the organiser for alleged mismanagement.
Holding the event organisers primarily responsible, the governor also criticised the police for failing the government, the people and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the home portfolio.
“Due to their inaction, this day can be said to be a dark day for the sports-loving people of Kolkata,” Bose said.
A Lok Bhavan official said the governor was shocked to learn that the Chief Minister, who was scheduled to meet Messi at the stadium, had to turn back midway.
“When the Chief Minister had to return from midway, it was a very serious matter. There must be an immediate inquiry and the culprits must be arrested,” the official said, quoting the governor.
Bose said ticket holders should be given a refund, organisers should be charged for damage caused to the stadium and other public property, and police officers who failed to take adequate precautions should be suspended.
He also called for a Standard Operating Procedure to be put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of large public gatherings in the future.
According to the Lok Bhavan official, the governor has further directed the state government to book the event organiser under charges of attempt to murder.
Bose also asked the government to investigate how and by whom “Messi was made a commodity”.
Messi’s brief visit to the city ended in chaos as angry fans broke security barricades after failing to catch a glimpse of the football icon, who made a blink-and-miss 22-minute appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium earlier in the day.
With PTI inputs