Thakurnagar: A stampede-like situation broke out during a Bharatiya Janata Party rally at North 24 Parganas in West Bengal on Saturday, February 2, leading to many casualities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his speech sighting panic among the crowd. While Modi was addressing the well-attended rally of the Matua community, hundreds of supporters who were standing outside the venue tried to barge into the inner ring of the rally ground, leading to commotion.

Modi’s efforts to pacify the crowd went in vain. The crowd started throwing chairs inside the no-man zone in front of the stage to make space for others to stand in the inner ring, which was earmarked for women supporters.

According to police sources, several women and children were injured, and rushed to the hospital for primary treatment.

Modi abruptly cut short his speech following the tumult stating that he had another rally to attend.