Mamata Banerjee halts Serampore rally after fire scare, demands probe into “electrical conflict”

A fire scare disrupted a campaign rally addressed by Mamata Banerjee in Serampore, Hooghly, prompting the chief minister to abruptly halt her speech and demand an immediate investigation. Sparks were reportedly seen near the audience area close to the stage, triggering panic among attendees. Banerjee, addressing the situation from the stage, urged people to remain calm and instructed that only trained electrical personnel should handle the issue, warning that no common person should touch any equipment.

As confusion spread across the gathering, Banerjee expressed strong displeasure over the incident, questioning how such a lapse could occur at a public meeting. She directed authorities to identify those responsible and take strict action, suggesting that the incident may have been caused by an “electrical conflict” and raising concerns about possible negligence in safety arrangements.

Police personnel quickly intervened, cordoning off the affected area and bringing the situation under control. No injuries or damage were reported. Preliminary indications suggest that the incident may have been caused by a short circuit, possibly due to a loose electrical connection or an open electrical box near the crowd.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee had filed her nomination and was campaigning across Hooghly district. During the rally, she also raised concerns over voter list revisions under the Special Intensive Revision process, alleging selective deletion of names across multiple districts. Despite the disruption, the rally resumed after the situation was stabilised, with the chief minister continuing her campaign outreach.