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"Police failed and the CM who is also the Home Minister", Bengal Governor slams on Messi's Saltlake stadium event chaos. CV Ananda Bose also said that due to their inaction this day can be said to be a dark day for the sports loving people of Kolkata. Football legend Lionel Messi kicks off his much-awaited GOAT India Tour 2025 in Kolkata with huge excitement at the Saltlake Stadium today. 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.
Jawed Shamim ADG Law & Order confirms that Lionel Messi's Kolkata event organizer Satadru Dutta has been arrested and Bengal police registers FIR against him and all those whose neglience in the event leads to immense chaos in the stadium. Legal arrangements have started, probe underway. Bengal Police DG Rajeev Kumar says "The main organizer Satadru Dutta has been taken into custody. Legal action and steps will be taken if the ticket money is not refunded to the spectators." According to Bengal DGP, the money should be refunded to the viewers. Mukesh Kumar, CP Bidhannagar confirms of no reports of any audiences being injured yet but 4 police officers have been injured.
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. As per reports, Lionel Messi along with other two players Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul seemed to be in a bit of discomfort as a huge crowd gathered near them. They even felt discomfort in walking at one point. Fans left frustrated with not just the early exit but the behaviour of the officials, for which they couldn't see the footballer properly leading to immense chaos and rampage inside Saltlake stadium premises
The West Bengal Governor has issued several directives to the State Government where he ordered a judicial enquiry into the mishap and Refund the ticket money to the common man. For the future he directs to issue a standard operating procedure for conducting large congregations and scheme to insure the spectators with the premium to be paid by the organisers. There should be adequate number of Rapid Action Force (RAF) stationed during the event and study planning and management of such events before the sanction is granted with the concurrent monitoring of the event by the control room. He also said that drones to be used for watching unusual movement in and around the stadium and use of artificial intelligence in congregation management and also freeze the bank account of the organiser and levy from the organiser compensation for the damages to public property on account of the incident.