6,000 policemen to be posted at stadium

CHENNAI, JAN 23: About 6,000 policemen will be posted for security purposes in M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, in connection with the...

CHENNAI, JAN 23: About 6,000 policemen will be posted for security purposes in M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, in connection with the India-Pakistan cricket match to be played in the city from January 28, DGP F C Sharma said today.

Talking to mediapersons, he said several companies of CRPF and RAF will be deployed in the stadium, even though Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray had withdrawn the threat of agitation. All the check-posts will be tightened and those coming to the stadium screened. He assured that the cricket match will be held without any interruptions. The Pakistan team is coming to Chennai after a gap of 11 years and all arrangements have been made to ensure their safety. Security at the concerned hotels has been tightened.

He appealed cricket fans not to throw paper rockets and water bottles on to the ground. Strict, legal action will be taken against the miscreants. Public have been advised against bringing drums, sticks, knives, musical instruments, match boxes, crackers, banners andwaste paper to the stadium.

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He requested the public to purchase the tickets from the authorised counters of the TNCA. The stadium will be opened at 7.30 am and visitors should be seated before 9 am, after which the entry gates will be closed. Heavy police pickets will be posted inside and frisking will be made at three points from the ticket counter till the spectators reach their seats. The tickets and passes should be kept with them till the end of the match and should be shown on demand. Food packets should be brought in paper parcels only and water in plastic containers. Bags containing valuable articles, electronic gadgets and cameras should be avoided inside the stadium.

The DGP warned of stern action against those shouting provocative slogans and making cat-calls. Possession and consumption of liquor will not be allowed inside. Fans have been urged not to go near the fencing around the boundary, light bonfires in the gallery, gain access into the ground or approach the players to get autographs.When asked whether the Delhi police had intimated the TN police about the plan by an ISI agent (who was later arrested in Delhi) to bomb the American Consulate in Chennai, the DGP pointed out that he had not received any such report and had only read about the news in the media. He added the same type of protection will be given for the hockey match in Chennai soon between India and Pakistan.