As Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing a public rally at Thakurnagar in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Saturday, February 2, chaos erupted as angry Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters reportedly started throwing shoes at each other. Modi couldn’t even complete his speech as several people were injured.
The prime minister urged the audience to remain calm. However, his pleas went unheard, and BJP supporters started throwing chairs inside the no-man zone in front of the stage to make space for others to stand in the inner ring, which was earmarked for women supporters.
Today at Thakuenagar. BJP supporters welcoming dear leader in the only way they know. Hurling shoes and chairs at each other 😂😂 #ModiBariJaa pic.twitter.com/v6HcLQTk9Z
— Aparna (@chhuti_is) February 2, 2019
Modi cut short his speech after the stampede-like situation left several persons, including women and children, injured at the venue saying he has another rally to attend and decided to leave the location.
Several women and children fainted and were also rushed to the hospital for primary treatment, an officer told PTI. An Economic Times journalist reported that the Special Protection Group of the Armed forces had to step in.
Stampede like situation. Security breach at PM’ rally. Speech cut short to 17 minutes. SPG stepped in and took PM away from the venue. Many fell ill, many children / women lost in the crowd .This is third instance of security breach at PM’s rally in Bengal
— Madhuparna (@madhuparna_N) February 2, 2019
This is the second instance when several were injured during Modi’s public event in West Bengal. Even on July 16 last year, Modi was addressing a rally in West Midnapore district when a make-shift stage collapsed.
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With PTI inputs