West Bengal: Two killed, five injured in stampede at Kalimpong concert venue

KALIMPONG: Two people were killed and five injured in a stampede before a rap concert at Mela Ground in Kalimpong on Sunday night. The organizers, Mad Dog, had invited various artists from Kalimpong and Darjeeling along with a rapper popularly known as Lahure from Nepal.
Civic police volunteers said the incident took place between 6.30pm and 7pm. However, organizers did not cancel the event even after the stampede, and the show continued till 9.30pm.
The deceased have been identified as Anita Chettri (46) and Binita Gurung (34). The injured are Miksam Tamang (21), Amita Subba (31), Pratiksha Chettri (15), Parima Rai (23) and Alisha Rai (15).
The main gate of the ground was closed and the crowd was getting restless. When it was opened, they rushed in, and those standing on stairs in the front were reportedly crushed.
“The massive crowd demanded to be let in, after which cops resorted to lathicharge to control them. We purchased tickets to watch the programme and went to the front. As soon as someone opened a small gate, the crowd streamed into the ground from outside and we fell as they pushed heavily. I shouted for help but not a single volunteer came forward to help us. Later, I became unconscious,” said Parima from hospital. “The crowd management was very poor. Cops were trying to manage the crowd but no one was listening to them,” she added.
Some locals have raised allegations of negligence against the organizers while some have criticised the administration for allowing the event to take place there.
Suman Gurung, district coordinator of Trinamool, who was chief guest at the event, said: “The organizers should take responsibility and bear the victims’ medical expenses.” Superintendent of police Harikrishna Pai visited the ground on Monday and said a case had been filed against them.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista wrote to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting she order an investigation into the deaths and compensate the injured. Bista also alleged that despite the deaths of two people, the organizers and the police did not cancel the show.
“The officials who granted permission for the event without taking into consideration the safety protocols and social distancing norms must be held responsible. Also, investigations should be conducted into who ordered the lathicharge,” Bista said.
The organizers could not be contacted for comment.