IND vs SA: Odisha Police resort to lathi charge after stampede at ticket counters for Barabati T20I in Cuttack
India Today
India vs South Africa: Police in Cuttack resorted to lathi charges after a stampede-like situation occurred near ticket counters of the Barabati stadium on Thursday.
Odisha Police had to resort to lathi charges to control the crowd after the situation went out of control, leading to a stampede-like situation during the offline ticket sale for the T20I match between India and South Africa at Barabati Stadium on June 12 on Wednesday.
As the offline ticket sale began on Thursday morning at 9:00 am, fans formed a beeline outside Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium on Wednesday night, to buy tickets for the much-awaited T20I match between India and South Africa is scheduled to be held on June 12.
A total of 12,093 tickets will be sold offline mode through counters. A person can buy a maximum of two tickets in offline mode. A valid government ID proof like a Voter ID or Aadhaar card will be required for the purchase of tickets.
As the queues became longer and longer during the morning hours after the ticket sale began, few people tried to breach the line to reach the counter, causing exasperation among those already standing in queues since last night. The situation went out of control at counter number 3, meant for women. The queues derailed and the women fans jostled and pushed one another, leading to chaos and a brawl between the women spectators. Most of them had queued to get the tickets and to sell at a higher price.
Notably, the OCA authorities have made two separate counters for women fans. As the humidity continued in Cuttack, fire personnel were seen sprinkling water spray on the fans queuing at the ticket counter.
As the situation escalated, police used force to disperse the unruly mob. Cuttack Police DCP Pinak Mishra rushed to the spot to control the unruly crowd. However, police forces are in adequate numbers to control any untoward incident.
"I am standing in the queue since last night, I am happy to get the ticket, now I can witness the T20 match between India and South Africa," BS Parida, a fan from Cuttack, said.
