East Bengal-Mohun Bagan match cancelled to prevent disruptive protests: Police | Football News

NEW DELHI: The Bidhannagar police commissionerate announced the cancellation of the highly anticipated Derby match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Salt Lake stadium.
The decision was made due to concerns that certain individuals and organizations might attempt to disrupt the event by staging protests related to the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
According to a high-ranking official from the commissionerate, prohibitory orders have been put in place under section 163 of BNSS, effective from 4 pm until midnight on Sunday. These measures aim to maintain peace and prevent any disturbances. In connection with this matter, five individuals have been taken into custody.

The decision to cancel the match was influenced by information indicating that several organizations had planned to use the high-profile Derby match between the rival teams, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, as a platform to voice their protests against the alleged rape and murder of the woman postgraduate trainee doctor.
Certain social media posts hinted at the possibility of joint demonstrations by fans of the two legendary clubs concerning this matter.
According to the IPS officer, who spoke to journalists, there was precise intelligence suggesting that during Sunday’s Derby match at Salt Lake Stadium, some troublemakers would try to instigate violence.
“We had specific information that some groups and organisations would attempt to create disturbance in the stadium,” he said, as quoted by PTI.
He mentioned that a capacity crowd of 62,000 to 63,000 was anticipated at the stadium.
“Keeping in view the safety and security of general football lovers, we took up the matter with the Derby committee and decided to cancel today’s match,” he said.
In the afternoon, some supporters from both clubs gathered in front of the stadium, waving their team flags and shouting slogans like “We want justice.”
During a press conference, the police played two audio clips, claiming they revealed plans by certain individuals to cause disruptions at the stadium.
The officer mentioned that the police have received information about potential protests by some organizations in front of the stadium on Sunday, following the cancellation of the Derby match.
He mentioned that while the Bidhannagar police have no issue with peaceful protests, there is a concern that unruly elements could mix with the peaceful protesters and create disturbances.
The officer added that five individuals have been detained in connection with this, and efforts to identify others who might incite violence are ongoing.
To prevent any disorderly situations, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS have been imposed in and around the stadium from 4 pm until midnight on Sunday.