Several injured in stampede at Bengal Modi rally

Thakurnagar (West Bengal): Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his speech at a rally in North 24 Parganas, Thakurnagar on Saturday after a stampede-like situation broke out at the venue leading to injuries to several persons.

Several women and children were injured, a senior police officer said.

While PM Modi was addressing the well-attended rally of the Matua community, hundreds of supporters who were standing outside the venue tried to barge into the inner ring of the rally ground, leading to commotion.

PM Modi tried to pacify the crowd by asking them to stay put in their places and stop from making efforts to come on the front side of the inner ring.

However, his pleas went unheard as supporters started throwing chairs inside the no-man zone in front of the stage to make space for others to stand in the inner ring, which was earmarked for women supporters.

Following the commotion, PM Modi abruptly cut short his speech, saying he has another rally to attend and decided to leave the location.

Several women and children fainted during the stampede-like situation and were also rushed to the hospital for primary treatment, the officer said.

"There was a lot of enthusiasm during my rally in Thakurnagar, and I think the ground was filled twice its capacity. There were women in attendance. People faced difficulties (because of overcrowding). I would like to apologise for the discomfort the people went through," Modi said while starting his speech at the Durgapur rally some time later.

"I was sitting on the chair and was listening to the Prime Minister's speech. A few people came and pushed me from behind. I fell from my chair and suffered injuries. The police personnel present there stood like mute spectators and did not come forward to help," an injured woman said.

"A stampede-like situation was created at the PM's rally. We all were shouting for help but the police failed to take any steps to restore semblance," said another one of the injured women today.

The incident brought back memories of PM Modi's July 16 rally last year at West Midnapore district when a make-shift stage collapsed leading to injuries to several persons.