April 27, 2024 23:28 (IST)
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Chaos, lathicharge outside as Eden felicitates SRK, KKR
Kolkata, June 3 (IBNS) While inside the iconic Eden Gardens stadium Bollywood megastar and Kolkata Knight Rider co-owner Shah Rukh Khan and his winning team were being felicitated on Tuesday for lifting the IPL trophy for the second time, utter chaos prevailed outside with police resorting to lathicharge and a near stampede injuring several people, including many women.
Thousands of fans of KKR and the Bollywood actor had gathered outside the stadium with many claiming they had passes but were not allowed inside. But many were present without passes too for a glimpse of the stars. Things turned further chaotic when Shah Rukh Khan arrived at the venue around 4 pm.
Scenes of young women enthusiasts of KKR and Shah Rukh Khan being taken to hospital in stretcher or youths with bleeding faces were as much a part of the day at Eden as the celebrations inside with the Tollywood stars singing to the peppy numbers belted out by pop star Usha Uthup, sharing their moments of glory with the Bollywood stars and the cricketers.
Many injured were taken to the SSKM Hospital.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself took the lead inside the stadium and asked King Khan to take a victory lap with his team as the people cheered. A king size cake was also cut by the actor and the chief minister.
However, outside it was raining lathis on people who turned unruly and turned up in unexpected number.
"There is a tsunami of people," said West Bengal Sports Minister Madan Mitra.
Mounted police (on horseback) were pressed into service while many women were seen crying and shouting.
"I got a pass but I am not allowed inside, why," asked a young woman shouting, while another was crying incontrovertibly after sustaining injury.
TV footage also showed a state minister allowing the people to go inside leading to a mad rush and near stampede near Gate No. 4 of Eden Gardens.
Inside the stadium Shahrukh Khan thanked the people for their support while his co-owners Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta were present.
"If anyone can capture Don it is the people of Kolkata," said SRK as the spectators cheered.
However, the battlefield outside the stadium marred the day for Kolkata.
Image: Twitter pic of KKR
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