Report: METALLICA - Police "Don't Blame The Public For Their Unruly Behaviour" Following Cancellation Of Delhi Show
October 30, 2011, 12 years ago
As reported over the last few days, METALLICA's Gurgaon show, scheduled for October 28th was postponed, with the organisers are claiming that a ‘technical snag’ as the cause behind the reschedule. According to an updated report from NDTV.com, four people, including a senior executive of the event management company that has organised the Metallica concerts in India, have been arrested after the show was cancelled.
![](http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee242/KnuckledusterBW/Metallicagroup.jpg)
The Times Of India have followed up with a closer look at the aftermath:
"The concert now stands cancelled. Rajesh Chandwani, Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio of DNA Entertainment Network, have been arrested forbreach of trust and cheating," said Alok Mittal, Jt Commissioner of Police, Gurgaon. "Proper investigation will ensue to determine the reason behind this fiasco, till that time the arrested four will remain in police custody. The organizers have now been blacklisted from organising such events in Gurgaon in future," Mittal added. PC Meena, deputy commissioner of police, Gurgaon, said, "We had taken a bank guarantee of `1 crore from the organisers to grant permission for the concert. If the administration finds that the reason behind the postponement of the concert is not genuine, then we will refund the ticket amount."
"The organisers cancelled without taking the district administration into confidence, and now they have to give us the reason as to why they cancelled the show," said Gurgaon Police Commissioner SS Deswal. Deswal said that he can't blame the public for their unruly behaviour. "Yes, they broke the barricades, but that was because they were angry. They all had paid money, come from far off places, were standing there for hours and suddenly they were told to leave. I don't blame them. Fortunately, the crowd dispersed peacefully, after that announcement and there were no casualties."
According to another version, the concert got cancelled because Metallica was not happy with the security arrangements. Reacting to this accusation, Deswal said, "Even with such a large crowd, the security arrangements were in place. There was no request from the organisers to provide any security at the venue, but we provided police assistance on our own to maintain law and order."
As previously reported, over 25,000 people had gathered at the Leisure Valley Park in Gurgaon's Sector 29 to watch the concert. Less than two hours before Metallica was to play, the organisers postponed the concert to 4 pm on Saturday. Then, after some angry fans trashed equipment, came reports that the Delhi gig had been cancelled altogether.
In a statement released on their site, Metallica cited fans' safety as the reason for the postponement of the Friday's show and permit issues for its subsequent cancellation. "Once we, along with DNA, the promoters of the show, determined that there was a failure of a security barricade in front of the stage that could not be adequately repaired, the promoter reluctantly announced the postponement of the show until Saturday. Unfortunately, on such short notice the promoters were unable to secure a permit for a show on Saturday. Therefore, DNA announced that we would not be able to play in Delhi," the statement read.
The organisers have said all ticket holders will be refunded. They say full-page advertisements on refunds will be put out in the next 24 hours explaining all the details.
At the venue on Friday, fans received the news with anger, partly because the announcement made also said that at that time, the band was addressing a press conference at their hotel. Crowds started lining up at about 3:00pm on Friday afternoon.
During the next three hours, several announcements were made requesting people to move back because the barrier in front of the stage was giving way. The crowd got increasingly more restive with every such announcement, objecting and booing.
Read more here.
Metallica, meanwhile, have issued the following statement regarding their postponed Delhi, India show:
"We arrived in Delhi on Friday very excited and ready to play our first show ever in India at the F1 Rocks concert. However, immediately at the end of our afternoon press conference at a hotel near the venue, we were notified that there was a serious question as to whether the show could proceed with regard to the safety of the concert audience. And our first and foremost concern is always for the safety of you, the fans.Once we, along with DNA, the promoters of the show, determined that there was a failure of a security barricade in front of the stage that could not be adequately repaired, the promoter reluctantly announced the postponement of the show until Saturday. Unfortunately, on such short notice the promoters were unable to secure a permit for a show on Saturday. Therefore, DNA announced that we would not be able to play in Delhi. Within the next 24 hours a notification will be issued by DNA regarding the process for full refunds.
We are deeply disappointed with this news as we were looking forward to our first experience in India as much as you guys were. Keep watching for updates here as additional details are determined and confirmed."
According to Dev Bhatia, who was at the venue at the time, things started heating up with a stampede at around 3:30 in the afternoon. The stampede caused the barricades to collapse, with several fans getting hurt in the process. As the crowd entering the venue continued to grow, the barricades in front of the stage also collapsed. At around 6 PM, the organisers announced that due to “serious technical difficulties”, the show was postponed and Metallica would play at 4 PM tomorrow.
The announcement further fueled the crowd’s frustration, causing fans to go on a rampage. Several fans gained access to the stage area, setting fire to banners and causing damage to the LED screens, monitors and other equipment.
Read more at RollingStoneIndia.com. Check out more video footage below: