KOLKATA, Dec 13: With chaos and vandalism breaking out at Salt Lake Stadium on the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Saturday over high ticket prices and limited access to Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi during his visit to the stadium, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced setting up a judicial committee headed by a retired judge of the Calcutta High Court to probe the mismanagement that led to the chaos.
The Chief Minister was on her way to the stadium. However, on receiving the news of the ruckus at the stadium, she directed her driver to turn back the car. Soon after that, she issued a statement announcing her decision to set up a judicial committee headed by a retired judge of the Calcutta High Court to probe the mismanagement that led to the chaos.
In a post on X, she apologised to Messi and sports lovers who had gathered at the stadium.
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” the Chief Minister said in her social media statement.
The inquiry committee will be chaired by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray, with the chief secretary and the additional chief secretary of the Home and Hill Affairs Department as members.
The panel will fix responsibility and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future, Banerjee said.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar said the prime organiser of the event had been detained in connection with the incident.
“The plan was that he would come, wave, meet certain people and leave. The government has already constituted a committee which will look into all aspects, including whether there was any mismanagement on the organiser’s side,” Kumar said.
He added that the organiser had given an assurance in writing that he would refund the ticket prices sold to spectators.
“The situation is now under control,” the DGP said.
TV channels, however, reported that the chief organiser has been arrested.
For a city that prides itself on its deep footballing culture, the scenes of broken chairs, ripped banners and angry fans stood in stark contrast to the promise of the day, as a much-anticipated Messi appearance ended in chaos at one of India’s largest football arenas.
Principal organiser arrested
Satadru Dutta, the principal organiser of the mega event held at Salt Lake Stadium on the northern outskirts of Kolkata earlier in the day, featuring Argentine football star Lionel Messi, was arrested on Saturday after chaos and vandalism broke out at the venue over high ticket prices and limited access to the football icon, an official said.
Confirming the arrest, Additional Director General (Law & Order) Jawed Shamim said that a first information report (FIR) would be registered in connection with the incident.
“A thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the roots of the mismanagement that ultimately led to the chaos. The police are taking the matter very seriously. Every person found responsible for the mismanagement and the resulting disorder will be booked,” Shamim said.
He also stated that the organisers of the event have been directed to arrange a refund of the money collected through the sale of tickets.
Meanwhile, a senior police insider said that Dutta was arrested by police personnel at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata while he was attempting to leave the city. He is currently being interrogated.
Guv seeks report from govt
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has written to the state government, seeking an elaborate report on the arrangements for Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi’s programme in Kolkata on Saturday, a Lok Bhavan official said.
The governor sought the report after several football enthusiasts complained to him that they could not get an opportunity to have a glimpse of their favourite player during the programme in the city, as ticket prices were “hefty”, he said.
Bose asked about the role of the state government in Messi’s visit to Kolkata and questioned why a person was allowed to earn money at the expense of the common people’s emotions.
“The Lok Bhavan has been receiving calls and mails from football fans complaining that they were unable to get tickets for the Messi match as the prices are beyond their reach. Now, the governor is keen to know why this is happening. Why are the common people unable to see their favourite star when he is here?” the Lok Bhavan official said. (Agencies)
