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NEW DELHI: A fact-finding team that looked into reasons and circumstances behind collapse of a dome hangar during Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's public meeting in Midnapore, West Bengal on July 16, has found serious lapses on part of the state government in making the security arrangements as well as violation of 'Blue Book' rules on many counts.

As reported by the high-level fact-finding team and intelligence agencies, the administrative and police brass of the district - West Midnapore - were missing from the venue during the PM's event. While the district magistrate concerned skipped the meeting, SP of another district was made in charge of the venue in the absence of SP, West Midnapore. A Central government official said it is unprecedented and against the established practice for the district magistrate not to be present during a public event attended by Prime Minister in his district.

No other senior police officer like the Inspector General (DIG) or Deputy Inspector General (DIG) was present at the venue. In fact, SP, West Midnapore, reached the venue only after the collapse of the dome hangar.

The fact-finding team, headed by secretary (security) in the Cabinet Secretariat S K Sinha, has found that there was no rehearsal or advance briefing of the policemen deployed for the PM's public rally, nor was the mandatory coordination with organisers done by the district administration. In fact, the police officers on the spot did not take any action to prevent people from climbing on to the poles of the dome hangar, resulting in its collapse.

Around 90 people were injured in the collapse . PM Modi cut short his speech and directed his SPG personnel to help the injured. The injured were rushed to the hospital, where Modi later paid them a visit.

The probe has found that the district administration or West Bengal's Public Works Department had not associated themselves with the erection of the dome hangar, nor did they provide the required security certificate.

