Pained by Bengaluru stampede, have no connection with Chinnaswamy Stadium, says CM Siddaramaiah

Siddaramaiah defended the decision to go ahead with the RCB victory celebration in front of Vidhana Soudha on June 4, saying no untoward incident happened there. The CM’s reaction came on a letter written by the DCP (Vidhana Soudha security) before the event, warning against holding felicitations at Assembly “hastily”, which has surfaced now.

The CM, however, clarified that the event at Vidhana Soudha was organised by the KSCA, and that he attended the programme as he was invited.

“It was an unfortunate incident, it shouldn’t have happened. Such an incident never happened after I became the CM. Prima facie it seems to have happened because of the officials’ fault, so we have taken action. Everyone is in pain, including me,” he said.

The stampede near the Chinnaswamy stadium left 11 people dead. (Express Photo)

10 points in letter

A few hours before the stampede on June 4, DCP (Vidhana Soudha security) M N Karibasavana Gowda wrote to the Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), flagging the risks of holding the celebrations.

In 10 points, Gowda mentioned concerns, including security, time to arrange vital installations and threats to them.

Gowda’s response came after the DPAR sought his opinion on holding the felicitation event on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha.

1) If the event is organised on the grand steps, lakhs of cricket fans will come to the Vidhana Soudha. There is a shortage of staff for bandobast.

2) Distribution of passes, online or offline, to attend the felicitation at Vidhana Soudha be stopped.

3) It is highly likely that the secretariat officials or staff would bring their family members. We request you to declare a half-day holiday for the officials and also to direct them not to attend the event.

4) We have requested that CCTV cameras be installed in front and around the Vidhana Soudha, but they have not been installed… Without CCTV cameras, it will pose a threat to the security system.

5) We want an NOC from the PWD. Also, the organisers must be informed that the police should be allowed to conduct security checks at least two hours before the event.

6) With electric equipment used during the event, the concerned engineer must issue a fitness certificate

7) The organisers must allow the anti-sabotage check squad at least two hours before the event.

8) As the RCB fan following is huge, police personnel from outside the city will be required. It will require time.

9) The law and order and the traffic police will have to coordinate to conduct such a huge event and there is not enough time

10) There are chances of using drones during such events and anti-drone systems are required.