Karnataka Government Report Reveals Blame on RCB for Stadium Stampede
A recent Karnataka government report shed light on the tragic stampede that occurred at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4. The unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of 11 lives and left 56 individuals injured. The report pointed fingers at the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the mishap, alleging that the IPL champions had a significant role in the tragedy.
Failure to Follow Safety Procedures
The report, prepared by the Central Administrative Tribunal, emphasized that RCB failed to adhere to standard operating procedures essential for ensuring public safety during events. This included neglecting to make proper applications to the police regarding crucial details such as expected crowd size, timings, parking arrangements, and other necessary information.
The state government informed the tribunal that although RCB management reached out on June 3, their communication only mentioned a ‘victory parade’ without providing further details or seeking permission as required by law.
Chaos Unfolds
On the day of the tragedy, around three lakh people congregated at the stadium, causing chaos on the streets and leading to traffic jams. The situation worsened due to a belated announcement of ‘passes,’ which the government criticized as an attempt to control the swelling crowd.
The stampede ensued shortly after, as the crowd rushed the entry gates, overpowering the inadequate security personnel present. Tragically, 11 individuals lost their lives during the stampede, with more sustained injuries.
Critical Oversight
Despite the unfolding tragedy, RCB officials proceeded with their celebrations for at least 15 minutes after the incident. This decision, explained as an effort to prevent further unrest, received severe backlash.
In response to the incident, the Karnataka government introduced stricter rules for event management, focusing on crowd control and imposing harsh penalties for negligence or mismanagement.
For more information on this developing story, please refer to reliable sources such as NDTV.
