SPG in WB to probe PM rally tent collapse

New Delhi, July 17

The Centre on Tuesday rushed a team of top security officials to West Bengal to assess circumstances leading to collapse of a temporary tent during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Midnapore, which left 90 persons injured.

The move comes a day after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sought a report from the state government on the accident, and a response is awaited.

A senior MHA official said the team, which comprises top officials of the Special Protection Group (SPG), would assess whether there was “any lapse in security measures, lack of coordination among different agencies and other shortcomings in organising the rally”.

The makeshift tent, erected next to the main entrance of the rally venue to shelter people from rain, collapsed when Modi was midway through his speech. Modi later visited the hospital where the injured, including 50 women, were undergoing treatment.

The MHA had sought a report from the West Bengal Government on the incident. The ministry spokesperson said, “The Centre has sought a report from the West Bengal government on the tent collapse incident in Midnapore in which several people were injured.” — TNS