India-Pak Guwahati ODI

Organisers seek ULFA’s blessings:

Guwahati, November 2
In an unprecedented move, the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) has made an appeal to the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) among others to facilitate smooth holding of the November 5 Indian-Pakistan one-day international cricket match at the Nehru Stadium here.

In an appeal made through advertisements in local dailies here today, the honorary secretary of the ACA (organiser), Bikash Baruah made a fervent appeal to all the sports buffs and organisations, including the ULFA, to extend cooperation for smooth conduct of the match, the first one of the five-match Indian Oil Cup series between India and Pakistan.

The ACA official stated that Pakistan team will play its first ever match in Guwahati, the only ODI venue in the North East, and called upon every one concerned, including the proscribed militant group, to extend cooperation for holding of the match sans any hitch.

However, the ULFA had not issued any threat to disrupt the cricket match.

Meanwhile, the district administration has made elaborate security arrangement for holding of Indo-Pak cricket match. Heavy rush of spectators is expected given that all the tickets have been sold out.

Deputy Commissioner Avinash Joshi informed that the city has been divided into seven security zones in view of the cricket match. “All the sensitive areas in the city will be under surveillance and sparks are expected to fly during an India-Pakistan cricket match”, he told newsmen here.

Two companies of CRPF personnel will be deployed around the Nehru Stadium Cricket Complex while Assam Police Battalion personnel will be in charge inside the stadium. A Superintendent of Police will be responsible of security in and around the stadium.

The Indian and Pakistani cricket teams will arrive in the city on the eve of the match and will be lodged in two separate hotels in the city. Indian Team will be in Hotel Landmark located at the periphery of the stadium while Pakistan team will be hosted in Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok.

Two Additional Superintendents of Police will be put in charge of security in both the hotels. Entry to both the hotels will be restricted and special security pass will be required for the purpose.

Posted on: The Tribune