Stampede forces Modi to cut short his speech at WB rally

[caption id="attachment_231415" align="aligncenter" width="565"] A scene after a stampede like situation during International Matua Maha Sammelan and Dharma Sabha at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas on Saturday. (PTI)[/caption] Thakurnagar (WB), Feb. 2 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his speech at a rally here in North 24 Parganas district on Saturday after a stampede broke out at the venue in which many people were injured. Several women and children were among the wounded, a senior police officer said. While Modi was addressing the well-attended rally of the Matua community, hundreds of supporters waiting outside the venue tried to barge into the inner ring of the rally ground, leading to chaos and causing security scare. Senior police and SPG officials tried to stop people from crossing the barricade and enter the no-man's security zone. Later, police officials formed a human chain to stop people from going near the stage where the prime minster stood addressing the crowd. Modi tried to pacify the crowd by asking them to stay put in their places and stop trying to come to the front of the inner ring. However, his pleas went unheard as supporters started throwing chairs inside the no-man's zone in front of the stage to make space for others to stand in the inner ring, which was earmarked for women. Following the commotion, Modi abruptly cut short his speech, saying he has another rally to attend and decided to leave the venue. Several women and children fainted during the stampede situation and were rushed to the hospital for primary treatment, the police officer said. Some children lost their parents in the chaos, and were taken to a nearby help desk. They were later handed over to their parents. The state BJP leadership, however, claimed that only a few people were injured. "Very few people were injured. They sustained minor injuries. One person was taken to the hospital and was released after primary treatment," BJP state general secretary Pratap Banerjee said. Slamming the BJP, TMC North 24 Paraganas district president Jyotipriyo Mullick said, "Those who can't organise a rally in a disciplined manner should stop dreaming of conquering Bengal. The people of Bengal stand with Mamata Banerjee". The incident brought back memories of Modi's rally in West Midnapore district on July 16 last year when a make-shift stage collapsed leading to injuries to several persons. The Trinamool Congress has decided to take out a protest march near the site of the prime minister's rally on Saturday evening wearing black masks.