The IPL tie between Kolkata and Chennai at Eden Gardens passed off without any disturbance or problem.

By Kashinath Bhattacharjee

At the end, everything was in order. The match was played. People who had bought a ticket by paying Rs 32,000 were not barred from sitting on the temporary Special Hospitality Gallery. There were no processions in protest. And the West Bengal Minister for fire brigade, Pratim Chattopadhyay, did not resign!

How did it happen after so many outbursts last night?

The Commissioner of Kolkata Police, Goutam Mohan Chakraborty, described the day’s proceedings.

“We were instructed by the PWD as well as the Home Secretary, in writing, that people should be allowed to sit there. It is too late for an alternate arrangement. After today’s match, the concerned bodies will sit together to solve the issue. For today’s match, however, there was no scope. So, those with valid tickets had to be allowed to enter there.”

Wasn’t there any instruction from the fire brigade ministry?

The Commissioner of Police said, “Yes, we had received a letter from the ministry, asking us not to allow people for the said gallery. But as I said, we had received instructions from the PWD and the Home Secretary, not to do so. The complaints were valid, definitely. In fact, when the permission was provided by the PWD, it was written that they were doing it keeping in mind the broader aspect of the game. But the permission was given provisionally and the temporary structure was neither given the NOC nor the fit certificate. Since there is plenty of time before the next match, the issues can be solved, without disturbing today’s proceedings.”

What if the people present in the temporary gallery decide to dance on it?

“We have sent clear instructions to the Kolkata management that there should not be any attempt to celebrate by dancing on the platform. Our people will be there, too, who will have a close look at the crowd. Even when the permission was given initially, it was written that there should be no celebrations. It is the load that is a concern. So, we will be monitoring it closely.”

But what about the FIRs lodged by the fire brigade Department against two persons? Will it stand? Or, will the concerned department withdraw the complaints?

Mr Chakraborty explained, “FIR stands for First Information Report. On the basis of it, we, the Police, start investigating the case and try to find what has been done unlawfully. There is no question of withdrawing FIRs.”

The 400-seat gallery was almost full. Only around 50 seats were unoccupied. Shah Rukh Khan came back right in time from Mumbai to be there, too. And the crowd was disciplined enough, not to dance on the platform.