WC T20: Pakistan cricket team arrives in Kolkata, security beefed up
The Ethiad Airways flight (#ETD-256) of Pakistan cricket team, comprising 15 players and 12 team officials and support staff, touched the ground of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI-CCU) in Kolkata around 7:44 pm. The team members came out of the airport around 8:43 pm. and started their journey towards a luxury hotel in central part of the city.
Police arranged a tight security at NSCBI airport since afternoon for the arrival of the Pakistani team. A huge number of police force, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), special commando force, Quick Response Team (QRT), and National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, were deployed int he airport.
The team buses of Pakistan team, escorted by a huge police-convoy, reached the team hotel safely.
Following a threat to dig the Eden Garden's pitch from a ultra-Hindu organization, and possibility of a tension, the Kolkata Police have arranged a heavy security at Pakistan's team hotel and Eden Gardens, where the India-Pakistan match will take place on Mar 19.
One senior official of Kolkata Police told IBNS, "We are not negotiating with the security arrangements for Pakistan cricket team. A four-layer security arrangement has been made at Taj Bengal hotel, where the team members will be staying. Besides NSG commandos, our police force and several units of RAF, QRT and special commandos will be deployed there. Pakistan team's movement will be monitored via GPS from Lalbazar headquarters."
"None will be allowed to meet the team members, unless has permission from team's manager. We have requested all team members not to go outside the hotel, without informing us. Special Action Group (SAG) commandos will always follow the cricketers and escort their team bus. During their practice in Eden Gardens, a heavy security layer will be arranged around the stadium," the officer further said.
The Kolkata Police have not arranged the exact security plans for India-Pakistan match so far.
"We will plan the security for India-Pakistan match at Eden Gardens in next two days, after meeting CAB, BCCI and Pakistan cricket team officials. We will deploy a large number of force there. That day over 15000 policemen will be posted there to complete the high-voltage match peacefully," a source said.
Pakistan to begin its T-20 World Cup journey, by playing its first-round qualifier match on Mar 16 in Eden Gardens.
The match between India and Pakistan was shifted to Eden Gardens in Kolkata after Pakistan refused to play in Dharamsala.
(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha, Image by IBNS)
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