Bankura, 28 December (H.S.): The situation at the ongoing fair in Bishnupur in Bankura district, spiraled out of control on Saturday night when a massive crowd gathered during actor Jeet's performance. The police struggled to control the crowd, and the situation deteriorated to such an extent that chaos and vandalism erupted throughout the venue.
The fair, which began on December 23 in Bishnupur, was organized to showcase the cottage industries, tourism, and cultural heritage of the Rarh region of Bengal. Everything remained normal in the initial days of the fair, but the situation changed completely on Saturday night. A dance and music programme featuring actor Jeet and other artists was scheduled at Yadubhatt stage. The programme began around 8:30 PM as planned.
A large number of people from not only Bishnupur but also from various parts of the Bankura district had gathered at the fair to watch the performance. As the programme progressed, the crowd continued to swell. The situation became unmanageable for the police, and pushing and shoving ensued. In a matter of moments, the venue turned into a scene of chaos.
A section of the agitated crowd broke through the barricades in front of the stage. Hundreds of chairs placed in front of the stage were also damaged and destroyed. Allegedly, even the seats reserved for senior citizens and women were not spared. Incidents of vandalism and looting were also reported at several stalls in the fair. Many banners and flex hoardings at the stage were also torn down.
To bring the situation under control, the police resorted to a mild lathi charge, which only further angered the crowd. Several spectators were reportedly injured in the ensuing stampede. The police detained some people from the spot on charges of creating a disturbance, although they were later released on personal bonds.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among the local residents. A local resident said, “It felt like we were going to die. It was difficult to get our family members home safely. We were afraid we wouldn't be able to get back. What was the police doing at that time? They just stood there and watched.”
However, the fair organizers claimed that despite the chaos, the main event was not affected. Actor Jeet and other artists performed on stage as scheduled and left the venue safely afterward. The administration has now begun reviewing the security arrangements to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the coming days
of the fair.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
