Bengaluru stampede: Siddaramaiah fumes at not being informed about DCP's letter

Bengaluru/Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday is said to have expressed his displeasure over two senior bureaucrats not keeping the government in the loop about a letter by the DCP of Vidhana Soudha Security, in which the latter had flagged security concerns about holding the event to celebrate RCB's IPL victory at Vidhana Soudha.

Later, speaking in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said he had "no connection" with the stampede  but stressed that he was "hurt" by the incident that claimed the lives of 11 people and has raised a plethora of questions. He also stated that he was "not informed by the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner about security arrangements for the event near Chinnaswamy stadium".

At a meeting fixed suddenly on Sunday, Siddaramaiah huddled with his deputy D K Shivakumar, Home Minister G Parameshwara, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DAPR) Secretary G Sathyavathi, where discussions revolved around the said letter.

The government may explore its options concerning the letter to prevent a repeat of it in the administration. 

On June 5, the government suspended IPS officer B Dayananda and four other cops citing “dereliction of duty.” On June 6, MLC K Govindaraj was also sacked as the chief minister’s political secretary.

Written on June 4 (a day after RCB clinched the IPL), the letter by Karibasavana Gowda was addressed to the DPAR secretary. In the letter, Gowda flagged security concerns. 

“Given the staff shortage in the Vidhana Soudha security division and the hurried organisation of a programme where lakhs of cricket fans are expected to throng, there could be potential problems in organising the bandobast arrangements,” the letter states.

The letter also pointed out that the online and offline passes being provided to citizens to enter the Vidhana Soudha must be completely stopped.

The DCP also urged the DPAR secretary to issue orders against secretariat officials/staff bringing along their family members to the programme and also suggested that a half-day leave be announced for secretariat officials and staff.

"There should be directions to the organisers to vacate the stage two hours before the programme to facilitate an Anti-Sabotage Check," the letter said.

However, the deputy chief minister refused to speak much about the meeting.

Speaking to reporters later, he said: "We met to discuss our programmes. The Cunha commission has started its enquiry and we don't want our words to influence anything. Thus, it's better if we speak less."

Parameshwara upset?

It is being said that Parameshwara took exception to decisions concerning the police being made without taking him into confidence. The home minister was reportedly upset by decisions made on June 4 and with the call to change the Mangaluru SP without discussing with him. 

Parameshwara is said to have asked the chief minister to relieve him from the home minister's post and give him a different portfolio.

'Not connected to stampede'

Siddaramaiah said he had "no connection" to the stampede incident. Speaking to media- persons at Mysuru Airport on Sunday evening, he said the incident "prima facie happened due to dereliction of duty by officials".

Continuing, the CM said: "First death due to stampede happened at 3.50 pm and I was informed only at 5.45 pm. I was not informed by Bengaluru City Police Commissioner about security arrangements for the event near Chinnaswamy stadium. Hence, action has been initiated against senior police officials, Intelligence IG has been changed, CM's political secretary has been removed."

On the function at Vidhana Soudha, Siddaramaiah said the "DCP Security had sought permission from DPAR secretary Sathyavathi".

"She told them that permission will be given if government agrees to it. DPAR secretary permitted with conditions and police have to fulfill it. Chief Secretary informed me that police have agreed and they would hold the event," he said.

"The KSCA Secretary and Treasurer who organised the event invited me and told me that Governor will also participate. There was no untoward incident near Vidhana Soudha premises. But I was not invited for the event at Chinnaswamy stadium," he said.

Highlights - Under scanner CM huddles with DKS, HM, CS and DAPR Secy over the letter that has surfaced in media It is being said that Parameshwara took exception to decisions concerning police being made without taking him into confidence The home minister was reportedly upset by decisions made on June 4 and with the call to change the Mangaluru SP without discussing with him  In Mysuru, Siddaramaiah says he had "no connection" with stampede at the stadium CM says he was not informed by police commissioner about security arrangements for Chinnaswamy event

Quote - Given the staff shortage in the Vidhana Soudha security division and the hurried organisation of a programme where lakhs of cricket fans are expected to throng there could be potential problems in organising the bandobast arrangements - Letter written by DCP Vidhana Soudha security