A Santej garba clash near Ahmedabad triggered panic among attendees on Sunday night after a dispute over entry without valid passes reportedly escalated into a fight involving security personnel and a group of youths. Videos circulated on social media appeared to show some men carrying sticks and swords, while police and the Gandhinagar Local Crime Branch began investigating the incident.
The confrontation took place at the entrance of the Mandli Garba festival in the Santej area on October 18, according to a report by Gujarat Samachar – Ahmedabad. Preliminary information cited in the report indicates that several youths attempted to enter the garba ground without valid passes. Security guards and bouncers stopped them, leading to an argument that later turned violent.
The situation reportedly worsened when some people entered the venue carrying weapons. Videos shared on social media showed youths allegedly moving around with sticks and swords. The reported presence of weapons caused alarm among garba participants, including women and young women, who moved away from the area during the commotion.
The incident highlights the security pressures faced by large ticketed public events, where organisers must manage access control, crowd movement and emergency response at the same time. In this case, the initial dispute reportedly began at the entry gate, making the point of access the immediate centre of the confrontation. The available report does not establish how many people were involved, whether anyone was injured or how security personnel responded after the fight began.
A separate claim that a bag containing cash was stolen during the confrontation is also being examined. The police have not confirmed the alleged theft. The report said the group may have entered the venue with a specific intention, but that claim remains part of the investigation rather than an established fact.
Personnel from the Santej police station and the Gandhinagar Local Crime Branch reached the venue after the incident was reported. Investigators questioned the event organisers, who were called to the LCB-2 office. People from both sides were reportedly taken to separate police stations for questioning as officers examined the circumstances surrounding the clash.
The investigation is expected to establish how the dispute over pass-free entry escalated, identify the people seen in the circulating videos and verify the claim regarding the missing cash bag. The supplied report does not state whether a formal complaint or arrests had been recorded at the time of publication.
