Chinnaswamy stampede: K'taka minister Ramalinga Reddy defends action against cops

Belagavi: Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy has defended the state government's decision to suspend Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananand and other police officials for the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebrations in which 11 persons lost their lives.

Reddy told reporters here on Friday that RCB’s victory celebrations were held on the steps of Vidhan Soudha, but permission was not given nor was it availed for the celebrations at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Police allowed the celebrations. It was the failure of the police as they did not assess the crowds that could surge in. It was an intelligence failure also, he said.

"We have also booked RCB team management, KSCA, and the event management company which organised the celebrations at Chinnaswamy Stadium without permission. Police officials have not been made scapegoats. Action has been taken against them for their failure and allowing the event to happen without permission, he stated.

Police have to maintain law and order, he said. "The issue was discussed during the cabinet meeting too. The stadium can accommodate only 35,000 people, but more than two lakh people came in as RCB had announced that entry for the event was free. Police failed to manage the situation, Reddy said.