'The crowd was unlike any IPL match — much more unruly and aggressive': How further disaster was thwarted on top tiers of Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium

BENGALURU: While pain, anguish and trauma unfolded outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium Wednesday, a potential disaster was averted by the skin of the teeth inside the stadium — thanks to the swift response of alert private security personnel and police officers.By 5pm on that fateful day, as it became clear certain stands, particularly Stand 13, were overcrowded, D Bhaskar, the managing director of Supreme Care Services, a private security agency deployed by event partner DNA, could sense trouble."Stand 13 looked dangerous. People were jumping from the upper tier to the lower level to get a better view," Bhaskar recalled. "Some even used pillars and fences to climb down. It was a crowd unlike what we usually see during IPL matches — much more aggressive and unruly."Bhaskar, drawing on his army training and two years' experience of handling RCB match security, read the situation fast enough to realise it was spiralling out of control. "Several stands were operating at over 120% capacity. Those spectators who stood up were blocking the views of those behind, which led to pushing and jostling," he said. "I feared people could fall off the upper stands straight to the ground."Bhaskar immediately approached a senior police officer at the venue. "I must thank him — he acted without any delay. Five police officers from the VIP area were immediately told to control the situation on the upper stands. They moved to the upper tiers and cleared out those threatening to act dangerously," Bhaskar said.Meanwhile, Bhaskar's team comprising former army personnel, used walkie-talkies and loudspeakers to warn the spectators. "We told the crowd that they were under surveillance and strict action would be taken against any unruly conduct, which instilled some fear and helped calm the situation."