AHMEDABAD, MARCH 31: In a boorish display of brutality, policemen and officers, including some of the Indian Police Service, stole the show at the Miss Gujarat and Man of Gujarat contest here on Sunday, occupying seats reserved for ticket-holders and then beating up organisers who asked them to move.The organisers, Shehnaz Husain's SOI group, had paid the police Rs 50,000 for providing security at the Shahibaug Police Stadium, where the contest, a fashion show by Mumbai models and a performance by pop-singer Anaida was to be held. Complimentary passes had been distributed to police officers.To begin with, the Bajrang Dal threatened to put an end to the show, but finally agreed to let the show go on, without announcing the results.It was after these threats were received that the police asked the organisers to seek security on payment, after which permission for the event was granted. While the Bajrang Dal posed no further problems, eye-witnesses said it was from policemen that the organisers neededprotection.
Himanshu Shah, managing director of SOI, alleged that he was roughed up by senior police officers and thrown across a barricade by plainclothesmen. Shah's troubles began when, a week before the event, he received a notice from the police commissioner saying that the booking of the police stadium was cancelled. No reasons were offered. ``It was only after much running around that the venue was booked again on March 27 for three days, May 26 to 29,'' said Shah. Shah has decided to file a suit against the concerned authorities for the damages caused.
The problem with the Bajrang Dal was sorted out on the eve of the event after the organisers said they would not announce the names of the winners and would allow Bajrang Dal volunteers to keep a watch on the show. As a guarantee, the winners' crowns were left at the Bajrang Dal office.Explaining the need for taking precautions, Shah said, ``Equipment worth Rs 5 crore was at stake. The laser lights, the stage, the 10 generators were too expensive tobe risked. Besides, contestants had worked hard for several months. And I would have had to pay the models and performers even if the show was cancelled.''
On the day of the event, policemen arrived at the stadium with their families. Senior police officers and their families were seen occupying tables in the exclusive `Rich & Famous' section, when they had been given passes to the lower-priced `Gold' and `Diamond' sections. Shah alleged that mineral water bottles, food packets and over 900 gift hampers meant for the `Rich & Famous' were grabbed by officers and their lackeys in plain clothes.As for the security arrangements, ``there weren't even policemen to handle the traffic. The jam outside the venue forced us to begin the show about an hour and a half late,'' Shah said.
Policemen also prevented security guards from checking the passes of those entering the stadium. The organisers's request to police officers to go to their seats angered them. Shah alleged that a senior police officer started beatinghim up. He was soon joined by several other policemen.
A retired IAS officer said, ``I first thought policemen were beating up a pick-pocket. Only then did I realise it was an organiser. Such high-handedness is shameful.'' Another witness said he saw an organiser being beaten and chased by burly men, most likely policemen.
Deputy commissioner (Zone V) Keshav Kumar, in-charge of security at the venue, defended the police and blamed the organisers for the disturbance. Police commissioner P G J Nampoothiri said, ``We have registered cases against the organiser for violating the time limit, and for bursting crackers (pyrotechnics of the Anaida show) without permission.'' Shah said he had not known that pyrotechnics were to be part of the show; he had expected only lasers.
Police also arrested the managing director of Wizcraft, the event management group that organised the fashion show and Anaida's performance.Minister of State for Home Haren Pandya said, ``I will look into the matter. Any event whichexhibits women in a bad light is wrong. As far as beauty contests are concerned, it depends on how they are conducted.''
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
