WB CID pitches in to probe tent collapse at PM's rally

The West Bengal CID is assisting in the ongoing probe into the tent collapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Midnapore on Monday, a senior official of the state government said.

In all 90 people were injured in the accident and a case was registered against the organiser and the decorator who erected the makeshift tent for negligence of duty, the police said.

The state CID is helping by carrying out forensic tests at the rally site, the official said.

Quoting the findings of the CID forensic team, the official at the state secretariat said there were some last minute changes made at the venue where the tent was erected.

The soil was not properly packed around the base of the iron poles on which the tent was erected. Due to showers, water had accumulated in small pockets that made the soil soft and compromised its ability to hold the poles firmly in place, the official said.

The official further said that stern action will be taken against those who manhandled police officers during the rally.

The law will take its own course. Those found guilty of physically assaulting police personnel will face strict action, the official warned.