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Kolkata Stadium Chaos: Mamata Orders Probe After Messi Visit Erupts

Chaos broke out at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium during Lionel Messi's visit, with fans protesting high ticket prices and limited access. The situation escalated, forcing police to use lathi charges and deploy the Rapid Action Force. In response, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a judicial committee to investigate the mismanagement. She also issued a public apology to Lionel Messi and all the fans affected by the unfortunate incident.

Key Points: Mamata Banerjee Announces Judicial Probe Into Salt Lake Stadium Messi Chaos

  • Chaos erupted as fans protested high ticket prices and limited access to see Lionel Messi
  • Police used lathi charges and deployed the Rapid Action Force to control the situation
  • The judicial committee will be headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray
  • Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly apologized to Messi and all sports fans for the incident
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Mamata Banerjee announces judicial committee to probe chaos at Salt Lake Stadium over Lionel Messi's visit

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee forms a judicial committee to investigate the mismanagement and vandalism during Lionel Messi's visit to Salt Lake Stadium.

"I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. - Mamata Banerjee"

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.

With the agitators resorting to a rampage within the stadium over limited access to Messi despite purchasing tickets at exorbitant prices, the police had to resort to a massive lathi charge and deploy Rapid Action Force (RAF), following which the Argentinian soccer star left the stadium early.

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.

"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.

Announcing the decision to form the judicial probe committee, she said that the committee will be headed by Justice (Retd) Ashim Kumar Ray. The state chief secretary, Manoj Pant, and the additional secretary to the state home and hill affairs department, Nandini Chakraborty, will be the two other members of the probe panel.

"The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. Once again, I extend my heartfelt apologies to all sports lovers, the Chief Minister added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
While the chaos is unacceptable, I appreciate Didi's quick response and apology. Forming a committee with a retired judge gives hope for a fair probe. The focus should be on fixing systemic issues so that when international stars visit, we can showcase Kolkata's culture and warmth, not chaos.
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Arjun K
Typical response - form a committee. What about immediate accountability? The police lathi charge was also excessive. People were agitated because they were cheated. The real probe should be into who sanctioned those ticket prices and the false promises of access to Messi.
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Priyanka N
Feel so bad for the fans, especially the kids who idolize Messi. My cousin spent his entire savings for that ticket. The government should ensure refunds for all ticket holders as a first step. Justice Ray is respected, hope his committee delivers quick results.
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Karthik V
This isn't just about football. It's about how we manage large events in India. From stampedes to vandalism, we see this pattern often. The committee's recommendations must be implemented, not just filed away. We need professional event management standards.
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Michael C
Respectfully, the Chief Minister apologizing to Messi is good diplomacy, but her primary apology should be to the citizens of West Bengal who were put in harm's way due to the mismanagement. The priority is citizen safety, not the impression of one international footballer.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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