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Centre stands up to Sena, says Pak tour will take place

Downplaying Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's threat to disrupt the India-Pakistan cricket matches, the Centre today said there is no question of abandoning the Test series or changing the venues for the matches.

A high-level meeting convened by Home Secretary B P Singh to review the security measures being taken for the first Test at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium in the capital sought measures to check recurrence of incidents like the attack on the pitch on Wednesday.

Briefing reporters after the hour-long meeting, Kishore Rungta, honorary treasurer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said the government had assured him that such incidents would not be allowed again. "We [the BCCI] have been assured that adequate security measures will be taken at the Test venues to foil any attempt by the Shiv Sena activists to disrupt the matches," he said.

The meeting was attended by Nikhil Kumar, special secretary (security) in the Union home ministry, Delhi Police Commissioner V N Singh, and senior officials of the ministry. Senior police officials of Rajasthan also attended the meeting.

Later, the Centre constituted a high-level committee to ensure "foolproof security" for the cricket series.

Singh said the government is determined to go ahead with the series and Pakistan has been assured full security for its team.

Not ruling out the possibility of preventive arrests of trouble-makers, he said the Centre has geared up its security apparatus by setting up a central security and liaison committee to look after the Pakistanis and ensure smooth conduct of the series across the country.

He did not rule out the possibility of deploying paramilitary forces for the security of the teams and the match venues.

Asked about rumours that Shiv Sena activists will go in for bulk purchase of tickets to disrupt the matches, Singh said, "We are aware of the move. Preventive steps are being taken."

The Pakistanis are slated to arrive in New Delhi on January 21 to play a two-Test series in the country after a gap of 11 years. The visitors will then take part in the first Asian Test Championship and a triangular one-day championship involving Sri Lanka.

The first Test is to be played at the Kotla on January 28.

Led by fast bowler Wasim Akram, the Pakistanis will open their tour with a match against the Board President's XI at Gwalior from January 23 to 25. They play the second and last Test at Madras.

The visitors are to play India in the opening match of the Test championship at Calcutta from February 16 to 20. Thereafter they will go back to Pakistan, to return for the triangular series in March, Singh said.

The newly set-up committee will monitor the team's security both on ground and in the air during the entire visit. Asked about the size of the committee, Singh said it is a compact one and will be headed by the home ministry.

It will liase with the state security agencies and others concerned with the organisation of the series. The external affairs ministry is already in touch with the Pakistan high commission.

Pakistani high commissioner visits the Kotla

The Ferozeshah Kotla ground had a surprise visitor today. Pakistan's High Commissioner for India Ashraf Jehangir Qazi visited the stadium in the afternoon to inspect the arrangements.

"I have to report back to Islamabad the situation that exists at the ground," Qazi said after his hour-long inspection tour.

Qazi, accompanied by his first secretary, Shah M Jamal, had a long discussion with Delhi District Cricket Association president Rambabu Gupta and other officials.

He went around the stadium and had a good look at the dressing room and the rest of the pavilion.

According to Gupta, the envoy appreciated the work that was underway to prepare for the Test.

Gupta said Qazi would be sending his second secretary for another inspection next week.

RELATED REPORT:
Sena threatens to disrupt Madras Test too

UNI

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