Messi Event Chaos: Vendors Face Huge Losses
The recent Lionel Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium turned into chaos, leaving vendors grappling with significant losses. The aftermath showed a scene of destruction, with broken sound boxes and untouched food and drink supplies scattered across the venue. Vendors estimate a staggering loss of ₹35-40 lakh, primarily due to damaged sound equipment, which included vital components like speakers and amplifiers.
Biswajit Haldar, a sound equipment supplier, expressed his shock at the turn of events. Despite being experienced in handling events across India, he had never witnessed such violence in his hometown. He shared how fans, frustrated by not being able to see Messi, began to destroy the equipment, showing their anger in a manner that was both shocking and disheartening.
Prasenjit Saha, an employee of Haldar, recounted the heart-wrenching scene as they pleaded with fans not to harm the sound boxes. However, their requests went unheard amidst the chaos. The police were also unable to assist, leaving the vendors helpless as they watched their equipment being damaged. Saha described how, at one point, thousands of fans flooded the field after Messi left, creating a chaotic scene that they had never experienced before.
Riaz Memon, another vendor, shared how his company faced massive losses after a Rs 30 lakh contract for water and cold drinks. With most of their stock remaining unsold and left to be taken back, the financial strain was evident. Memon noted that while they sold water bottles for Rs 100, some were being resold for Rs 250 inside the stadium, indicating a potential issue with vendor management.
The repercussions of the event have now led to legal actions against the chief organizer, Satadru Dutta, who is currently in police custody. As vendors rally together, they express concerns about their livelihoods and the future of their businesses. “It’s our bread and butter,” they lament, hoping for some form of compensation for the overwhelming losses they faced during this chaotic event.
