The proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom on Saturday clarified that it was not going to do anything to disrupt the Indian Oil Cup One-Day International cricket match between India and Pakistan to be held in Nehru Stadium in Guwahati on November 5.
In a statement e-mailed to the media, ULFA chairman Arabindo Rajkhowa assured all concerned including agencies responsible for arranging security for the cricket match as well as players that the outfit was not going to do any mischief to disrupt the match as it had 'great respect for sports and sportsmen.'
The ULFA leader stated that it had great respect for internationally acclaimed cricketers of both the teams that are playing the ODI at Nehru Stadium in Guwahati .
The organizer of the ODI, Assam Cricket Association on Friday created ripples in Guwahati by publishing an advertisement in local dailies to make an appeal to the banned ULFA to help holding the ODI smoothly though the banned outfit had not issued any threat as such.
The advertisement was published under the name of Bikash Baruah, honorary secretary of the ACA.
The ULFA chairman on Saturday stated that such international level sports events were welcome in the state as they would provide great opportunities for young sportspersons from the state to watch from close quarters reputed players performing while common sports lovers also get a chance to enjoy a sports event of the highest level in home comfort.
Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made for the ODI.
Guwahati has been divided into seven zones and sureveillance has been mounted in sensitive areas.
The two city hotels where cricketers of India and Pakistan will be lodged has been fortified and entry has been restricted. Players of both teams will arive in Guwahati on Sunday.
A superintendent rank police officer will be in charge of security in the ODI venue where two companies of Central Reserve Police Force men will be deployed in the outer ring while Assam Police battalion personnel will be deployed inside the stadium.
