"Mamata Banerjee and Kolkata CP should have been arrested", Himanta on Messi's event vandalism

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a strong attack on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over the chaotic Lionel Messi event in Kolkata yeste saying she should be arrested for the total collapse of law and order. Referring to the vandalism in Saltlake Stadium yesterday, Sarma said responsibility lay with the state leadership. “The state’s Home Minister, who is the Chief Minister, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner should have been arrested. The first responsibility goes to the Home Minister of the state and the police commissioner,” he adds. 

Drawing comparisons with massive public events, Assam CM Biswa Sarma cited huge public gatherings  all over Assam following singer Zubeen Garg’s death on 19th September this year which leads to entire shutdown of the state for around a week where general public mourned at roads along with international music concert occured recently on December 8 where American singer and rapper Post Malone attended a concert in Guwahati. He also mentioned Women’s World Cup final in Mumbai, claiming all the events have been conducted peacefully without any mayhem and vandalism. He said, “West Bengal is a state where nothing is predictable. The VIP culture is at an extreme level there”

Reportedly, football legend Lionel Messi kicked off his much-awaited GOAT India Tour 2025 in Kolkata with huge excitement at the Salt Lake Stadium yesterday. Messi, joined by teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, waved to the crowd and soaked in the love from supporters wearing Argentina jerseys but things took a turn when Messi leave stadium early amid heavy security. Many fans could not get a clear view of the World Cup winner, leading to growing frustration. The crowd was very overwhelming and the players had barely any room to walk. Messi completed only a half-lap in the stadium before being quickly escorted out through a side door or tunnel. Soon after that, chaos broke out in the stands.

This sudden exit disappointed the eager crowd, fans started booing loudly, expressing anger over poor management and the brief glimpse of Messi. Raging fans further uprooted stadium seats, plastic water bottles and packages were thrown onto the field and toward police and officials. The spectators went on a rampage on the field. Amid vandalism in Saltlake Stadium, the main event organizer Satadru Dutta has been arrested from Kolkata airport yesterday. Today, he was produced in Bidhannagar Court and was given Police Custody (PC) for 14 days. 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier opened up about the shameful incident. She has apologized to Lionel Messi and to the audience as well. Mamata criticized the event organizers. An investigation committee has been formed on the instructions of CM Mamata. Retired Justice Asim Kumar Roy heads the SIT team. The Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Hill Affairs Department are appointed as members.