KASARAGOD
A massive crowd at the Speedway ground at Nullipady led to a clash and an hour-long chaos on Sunday night, bringing Kasaragod town to a standstill during the final day of the three-day ‘Kasaragod Flea Festival. The event, organised to promote small businesses and women entrepreneurs, descended into disorder after thousands poured into the venue to watch singer Hanan Shah, a recent social media sensation.
Organisers struggled to control the swelling numbers, with nearly three times as many people gathering outside the gates as those already inside. When Hanan Shah arrived around 9 p.m. people holding tickets attempted to force their way in, resulting in several injuries.
Police, noticing the escalating situation outside the ticket counter, intervened and instructed the singer to halt the show after just two songs. The announcement triggered tension among the crowd, many of whom refused to disperse despite repeated requests. As the situation turned violent, the police were forced to resort to lathi-charge to push back the crowd and restore order.
The chaos spilled onto nearby roads, choking traffic for hours. Vehicles, including ambulances, struggled to move as congestion intensified around the venue and adjoining city roads. Police and Fire and Rescue Services teams were deployed to clear the route, but movement remained paralysed for a considerable amount of time.
Several sustained injuries, and around 16 people who fainted were rushed a private hospital, while others were shifted to nearby facilities. District Police Chief Bharat Reddy and senior officers reached the ground to oversee operations and bring the situation under control. The District Police Chief later announced that tickets would be refunded, assuring the public that the situation had stabilised.
The Kasaragod Town police registered a case against the organisers of the event.
Published – November 25, 2025 01:54 am IST
