The West Bengal government has initiated significant disciplinary action against several high-ranking police officials following the widely reported mismanagement and chaos at an event featuring global football icon Lionel Messi. The state's Home Department has issued show-cause notices to the Director General of Police (DGP) and other senior officers, while also placing a Deputy Commissioner of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate under suspension.
Disciplinary Action Following Event Chaos
The decisive move comes in the wake of the event held on September 13, 2024, where Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentina national team and Inter Miami, was present. The event, intended as a promotional activity ahead of the FIFA international friendly between Argentina and Venezuela in Kolkata, descended into chaos. Overcrowding and a severe breakdown in security protocols led to a situation where fans and media personnel faced significant risk, with reports of injuries and a general atmosphere of panic.
The state administration, after reviewing reports and footage of the incident, found the security and administrative arrangements to be grossly inadequate. The Home Department determined that the lapses pointed to a serious failure of duty by the police leadership responsible for planning and executing the security blueprint for the high-profile gathering.
Who Faces Action?
The disciplinary measures are notably far-reaching, targeting officials at the very top of the police hierarchy. A formal show-cause notice has been served to West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar, demanding an explanation for the security lapses. Similar notices have been issued to other senior police officers involved in the event's oversight.
In a more immediate punitive step, Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, Sudip Sarkar, has been placed under suspension. The Bidhannagar commissionerate holds jurisdiction over the Salt Lake area, which includes the venue of the event. His suspension underscores the direct accountability placed on local police command for the on-ground failures.
Broader Implications and Official Response
This action by the Mamata Banerjee-led government signals a strict stance against perceived negligence in the management of large-scale public events, especially those involving international celebrities. The mess at the Messi event drew widespread criticism and negative media attention, tarnishing the state's image ahead of a major international sporting fixture.
The show-cause notices require the senior officials to provide detailed explanations for the planning and execution failures. Their responses will likely determine if further disciplinary steps, beyond the suspension already enforced, will be taken. The government's move is also seen as an attempt to preempt public and political backlash by demonstrating accountability and swift administrative action.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the competence and preparedness of authorities in handling events that attract massive public turnout. With the Argentina vs Venezuela match scheduled for later, all eyes will now be on the revised security arrangements to ensure no repeat of the September 13 fiasco.
