Kolkata, 16 December (H.S.) :

The West Bengal government has taken stringent action over the serious mismanagement at Yuva Bharati Krirangan during the Lionel Messi event. Acting on the report of a three-member inquiry committee headed by a retired judge and constituted on the chief minister’s directions, disciplinary steps have been initiated against senior police officials.

According to sources, state Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar have been served show-cause notices. Meanwhile, DCP of the Bidhannagar commissionerate, Anish Sarkar, has been placed under suspension pending completion of departmental proceedings.

The inquiry committee, in its report, pointed to major lapses in arrangements on the day of the event and a lack of coordination among different agencies. Based on these findings, disciplinary action has been initiated against the officers deemed responsible. DGP Rajeev Kumar has been asked to explain his position within 24 hours. A similar show-cause notice has been issued to Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar.

DCP Anish Sarkar, who was in charge of security and law and order on the day of the incident, has been suspended with immediate effect while a departmental inquiry proceeds. In addition, the principal secretary of the Youth Services and Sports Department, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, has been asked to submit an explanation regarding the entire episode. The chief executive officer of Yuva Bharati Stadium, Devkumar Nandan, has been relieved of all responsibilities with immediate effect.

The state government has also constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter in depth. The SIT comprises senior IPS officers Piyush Pandey, Javed Shamim, Supratim Sarkar and Muralidhar. The government has made it clear that a fair and comprehensive investigation will be conducted to identify the lapses and fix accountability, and that strict action will be taken against those found guilty.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh