Prime Minister Narendra Modi was forced to cut short his speech at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas of West Bengal on Saturday after a stampede-like situation occurred at the public gathering.
Several persons, including women and children and a few journalists, were injured when the people breached the barricades and surged towards the stage where the Prime Minister was speaking. This is the second time a rally addressed by Mr. Modi in the State has run into problems in crowd management. In July last, a tent collapsed at his rally in Paschim Medinipur district, injuring several BJP supporters.
As the crowd swelled in the ground near the headquarters of Matua Mahasangha, the Prime Minister tried to pacify the people. But when the crowd kept moving towards the stage, he wrapped up his speech in 20 minutes and left the venue. The rally was held under the banner of International Matua Maha Sammelan and Dharma Sabha. A large number of people carrying the flags of Matua Mahasangha gathered at the venue, along with BJP supporters.
After the Prime Minister left, the organisers gave medical help to the injured and tried to unite children with their parents. Later in the day, at a public rally at Durgapur, Mr. Modi expressed regret at the developments. “Some women and children faced problems. I want to apologise to them,” he said, urging BJP supporters to be patient while displaying their affection towards him.
