Patna, Jan. 8: Euphoria band lead singer Palash Sen is not impressed with the “good governance” in Bihar. Interrupted by police during their live performance in the state capital last night, the band had to wrap up the concert abruptly, amid minor violence.
According to the police, the performance went on beyond the given time limit — 8pm — forcing them to stop the show. A dejected Sen, however, told The Telegraph: “I never expected to face such harassment, that too from policemen in a state that talks of good governance.”
The incident occurred yesterday at Sanjay Gandhi Stadium in the Gardanibagh area, where Sen and his band were performing live. Around 3,000 people had gathered for the musical treat and were shaking a leg when the police personnel interrupted the fun.
Sources said around 8.40pm, Gardanibagh station house officer (SHO) Nityanand Shukla made an unscripted entry on the stage and asked the performers to wrap up the show. The officer said they had crossed the allowed time limit. Some band members and their entourage accused that Shukla was inebriated.
The police said they had only followed the norms and not misbehaved with either the performers or their managers. Senior superintendent of police Alok Kumar has, however, ordered a probe into the incident.
Sources said when the band members tried to pacify the police officer and inform him that the show would anyway end in 10 to 15 minutes, he started to abuse them. Alok Kumar, the public relations in-charge for the concert, told The Telegraph: “I tried to pacify Nityanand Shukla but he was not ready to listen to me. Instead, he started to misbehave and abused me. I think he was inebriated.”
Sen also requested Shukla to not interrupt the performance but the cop was in no mood to listen to them.
Sen said: “I had no problems with the crowd or the district administration but one person interrupted the wonderful performance. I feel sad that the audience, who were enjoying the show so much, were asked to return home.”
City police, however, have a different version of how the events unfolded. They claimed that the programme was supposed to start at 4pm but it started only at 6.40. They had been given permission to perform till 8 in the evening but the show continued for quite some time after the deadline.
City superintendent of police (SP) Ms Kim said: “Euphoria was given four hours — from 4pm to 8pm — for their performance. But despite several requests they continued with the show till 8.40pm.
“They were first requested to wrap up at 8.15pm, and then again at 8.30pm, but they did not heed to the pleas. At last, we had no option but to stop the performance at 8.40pm,” she added.
Asked whether his show had exceeded the stipulated time, Sen had a rebuttal to offer. “Even the Supreme Court has allowed people to play loudspeakers till 10pm. Music concerts cannot start and end at a fixed time.”
The SP denied allegations that the Gardanibagh SHO was drunk and misbehaved with the artistes.
She said: “If the singer had any problem with the behaviour of any police personnel, he should have lodged a formal complaint. Till now, no written protest has been lodged by anyone. ”
The SHO concerned also denied the accusations. “The charges levelled by Palash Sen and Euphoria members are baseless. I was not drunk. I did not even meet Sen,” he said.
Caught in the crossfire, the people who had come to see the show returned home disappointed. Vikky Sinha, an audience member, said: “The show was excellent. The police could have handled the situation better. It was very disappointing as we had to go home before the show ended.”
There is, however, some good news for Euphoria fans. Before leaving for Mumbai, Sen told The Telegraph that he was very happy with the response of the crowd and would return to Patna soon. Hopefully, for a less un-musical interlude.
