CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: Chaos at Prayagraj Run for Unity, chairs broken, certificates snatched
A major commotion broke out on Saturday morning during the Run for Unity marathon organised in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Around 5,000 to 6,000 participants had taken part in the race, held near Sachcha Baba Ashram at Arail Ghat in the Naini area. During the competition, anger erupted among participants over alleged irregularities. Within moments, chaos spread at the venue.
Participants alleged that the marathon was started about half an hour before the scheduled time. They also alleged that the official start of the race and the rules were not properly followed. Some participants claimed that several people reached ahead on the race route by motorcycle, got down near the final stretch and completed the run. This led participants who had run according to the rules to question the fairness of the competition.
The dispute intensified during the prize distribution. Angry people climbed onto the stage, raised slogans, broke chairs and began snatching certificates. It is alleged that some people took away several certificates at once. During this, BJP district vice-president Dr Devi Singh Patel, who was handling responsibilities for the event, was surrounded by the crowd. When he tried to leave, some people chased him.
As the situation deteriorated, police intervened and safely removed the BJP leader from the crowd, taking him to Naini police station. Later, the winning participants were called to the police station, felicitated and the prize money was distributed. The incident has raised questions over the arrangements for the sports event and transparency in the competition. The full picture will become clear only after the allegations made by participants are investigated and the organisers’ official version comes out.
Hashtags: #UttarPradeshState #Bhopal #Prayagraj #RunForUnity #Marathon #Chaos #ChairsBroken #CertificatesSnatched #PrayagrajRunForUnity #प्रयागराज
