Crowd enthusiasm causes near stampede at Mamata's function

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee's programme here to lay the foundation stones of two railway projects almost resulted in a stampede today as an enthusiastic crowd surged forward for a better view of her.
 
Immediately after Banerjee arrived for the programme, the crowd which had been patiently waiting surged forward into the shamiana, jumping over barricades and pulling away chairs kept for the media, railway officials and invited guests.

Those in the front rows panicked fearing a stampede and some in the audience, mostly women, were seen fainting.
 
With the RPF and police having a tough time controlling the crowd, Banerjee appealed for order and at one point said, "Do you want me to leave? I will leave if you behave like this. Some people are trying to scuttle the programme."
 
When the crowd heeded her appeal, Banerjee shifted from the main dais to a smaller one for a cultural function to enable the crowd to have a better view of her.
 
Banerjee rounded it off with a speech after the inaugural song and another song by popular singer Nachiketa.
 
Later, she laid the foundation stone for extension of the line from Canning to Bhangankhali and doubling of tracks between Ghutiarisharif and Canning.