Sabyasachi Bagchi, Siliguri: With both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan still in title contention, Sunday’s mouth watering Kolkata derby in I League has had its effect on the fans. Tensions are flaring up in Siliguri as there have been a few incidents of rival fans clashing with each other.
The first instance took place near the stadium when some Mohun Bagan fans carrying a placard of their favourite club were taunted by a few East Bengal supporters. The Mariners fans reacted to it immediately, with one of them seen slapping a East Bengal supporter. The incident could have gone out of control had supporters from both groups not intervened.
The other similar incident took place in a restaurant (Food Plaza) near the stadium. Two friends were having a lunch together when a group of East Bengal supporters entered. Noticing that one among the two friends was a Mohun Bagan fan, a member from the group asked the other friend why he was having lunch with a Mohun Bagan supporter. In spite of being told that they were both friends and live in same place, the group came down on the Bagan supporter. Situations had to be brought under control by police officials.
The officials of both the clubs had made a request to the fans to keep a check on their emotions so that no untoward incident take place.
“I would request supporters of both teams to control their emotions. The match should be played in the spirit of the game,” said Swapan Sadhan Bose (Tutu).