Sound system and instruments belonging to a musical troupe from Kolkata were taken away six days ago by an organisation of Contai in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district in the wake of a dispute over alleged violation of the contract for performance at a cultural programme, police said.
The instruments were later returned by the organisers following intervention by the district authorities and the six-member troupe reached the city on Sunday.
The incident triggered a furore on social media as eminent singer Lopamudra Mitra, music composer Joy Sarkar and others expressed outrage over the confiscation of musical instruments and sound equipment by the members of the organisation that held the event.
Bakshispur Sports and Welfare Society alleged that though a section of the troupe members arrived at the venue of the show on time, some other members who were supposed to perform in the April 3 function, did not turn up violating the contract.
The organisers said they had first decided not to allow the members to leave the place till compensation was paid but later allowed them to leave without their instruments.
“I am relieved to get the news that the six musical troupe members returned along with all their instruments. I hope in future no disputes between organisers and artistes will lead to such situations which will run for days,” Sarkar told PTI.
Mitra had earlier said whatever the issue is, confiscating the instruments of musicians for days and confining them are wrong.
She said disputes should have been solved in a better way and urged members of the music fraternity to stand in solidarity with the troupe members on this issue.
Purba Medinipur Zilla Parishad sabhadhipati Uttam Barik, who mediated between the two sides, and finally resolved the impasse, said, “The matter has been settled and all the members have left for Kolkata with the instruments.”
A police official said the organisers helped the troupe members get vehicles to return.
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