Stampede, protest held

Haveri

BJP functionaries and activists staged a protest at Hosamani Siddappa Circle, opposing the state Congress government's decision to suspend five senior police officers in connection with the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede incident in Bengaluru.

During the protest, former MLA Shivaraj Sajjanar said that the state govt bears complete responsibility for the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede. He highlighted that insufficient precautionary measures resulted in the deaths of 11 RCB fans. He criticised the government's decision to suspend dedicated police officers, viewing it as an attempt to deflect from their own shortcomings. Sajjanar called for the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Home Minister G Parameshwara, holding them accountable for the tragedy. He advocated for Rs 1 crore compensation to the families of the deceased, govt employment for one family member, a CBI investigation into the incident, and withdrawal of the police officers' suspension orders. Nanjundesh Kaller, general secretary, criticised the government's handling of international players' recognition. He noted that despite awareness of the stampede during the felicitation ceremony, the programme continued uninterrupted. He attributed the deaths of 11 RCB cricket supporters to the Congress government's negligence and publicity-seeking behaviour, while expressing solidarity with the police department