Karnataka CM, Dy CM, home minister should take responsibility for stampede: Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru (PTI): JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday said, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and Home Minister G Parameshwara should take responsibility for the June 4 stampede that killed 11 people, and should resign if they have morality.
He hit out at the government for suspending five police officers including the city police commissioner.
"The suspension of five police officers with haste in connection with this unpleasant incident was unnecessary, if officials are made scapegoats for the mistakes of the government, can the officers work effectively? The government should have thought about it," Kumaraswamy said.
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Speaking to reporters here, he said, those heading the government claim to give a transparent, truthful and loyal administration, and they should understand the public opinion about the decisions they have taken.
"FIR on stampede incident says permission was sought for June 4 victory celebrations at the stadium, even before the match started on June 3. Final match started at 7:30 pm (on June 3) but an application was submitted at 6 pm for the next day's celebration, did they dream about winning the match? Another application was submitted to DAPR for the celebrations in front of Vidhana Soudha, who was behind it? Who put the pressure on the police commissioner at 7:30 am that day (June 4) for permission?" he asked.
The stampede occurred on June 4 evening in front of the Chinnaswamy stadium here, where a large number of people thronged to participate in the RCB team's IPL victory celebrations. Eleven people died and 56 were injured in the incident.
The Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister will have to take the responsibility for the stampede and all the three of them are at fault, former CM said.
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"What was the need to felicitate the team within 24 hours of the team's victory? Fine, what kind of felicitation was done? Was such a slipshod felicitation needed? If they have morality they should resign. But these days politicians, I can't expect it from them, but as an opposition party, we have demanded. We are not in a miserable state to do politics on dead bodies, such a situation will never come," he added.
Shivakumar on Friday had accused opposition BJP and JD(S) of doing politics over dead bodies.
The Karnataka Congress on Friday recalled the law-and-order breakdown after the death of thespian Dr Rajkumar when H D Kumaraswamy was the chief minister of the JD(S)-BJP coalition government in 2006, to counter the opposition's attack now.
Reacting to this Kumaraswamy said, "Some elements have tried to create nuisance and unrest during Rajkumar's death. That led to shooting and two deaths. I have openly accepted it, why link that incident with this stampede?"
Hitting out at Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy asked, "What is his achievement? What has he achieved or done? What is his contribution in the last two years for Bengaluru city and the state?"
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
