**Tragic Stampede at Bengaluru Event: Police Warned of Risks**
**Meta Description:** A stampede at a Bengaluru event led to 11 deaths and 56 injuries, despite police warnings about crowd management issues.
**URL Slug:** bengaluru-stampede-police-warnings
**Headline:** Police Had Warned of Risks Before Bengaluru Stampede That Left 11 Dead
Three days after a devastating stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which resulted in 11 fatalities and approximately 56 injuries during a Royal Challengers Bengaluru felicitation event, it has come to light that police had issued prior warnings regarding potential risks. A communication dated June 4, the day of the incident, from Deputy Commissioner of Police (Legislature Security) M.N. Karibasavana Gowda raised significant concerns about crowd management and a shortage of manpower.
In the letter addressed to G. Sathyavathi, Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, and other senior officials, Gowda expressed apprehension about the expected turnout of “lakhs of cricket fans” at Vidhana Soudha, emphasizing that the lack of security personnel would make crowd control a daunting task. He noted the nationwide fan following of the RCB cricket team and warned that hosting the event at Vidhana Soudha would likely attract a massive crowd, exacerbating the challenges posed by the limited staff in the Vidhana Soudha Security Division.
To mitigate the risks, the letter recommended suspending all online and offline public entry passes on June 4 and advised against allowing government employees to bring family members to the Secretariat that day. Additionally, it suggested declaring an afternoon holiday to decrease foot traffic near the venue.
Gowda also highlighted that Vidhana Soudha, a critical installation and heritage site, lacked sufficient surveillance infrastructure. Despite previous requests for CCTV coverage, the installation remained incomplete, raising concerns about the ability to monitor and secure the area during a large public gathering.
Furthermore, the DCP pointed out that a stage was being constructed for the event and insisted on structural and electrical safety inspections by the Public Works Department (PWD). He called for anti-sabotage checks at least two hours before the event and stressed the necessity of a functional anti-drone system, warning of potential drone usage during such large gatherings.
The urgency of mobilizing additional police personnel from outside the city was also emphasized, with Gowda noting the importance of coordination with law enforcement and traffic police, which would be challenging given the short notice. While reiterating that the department would adhere to the government’s final decision, the DCP underscored the need for strict security protocols to ensure the safety of both the venue and attendees.
**FAQ Section**
**Q: What were the main concerns raised by the police before the Bengaluru stampede?**
A: The police raised concerns about crowd management, manpower shortages, inadequate surveillance, and the need for safety inspections prior to the event.
