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Kolkata turns into fortress for Indo-Pak match

Last updated on: November 27, 2007 11:00 IST
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A phenomenal security ring has been clamped in and around Kolkata after an e-mail threatened to trigger a blast during the India-Pakistan Test match commencing at the Eden Gardens from November 30.

The Eden Gardens itself looks like a veritable fortress with more than 60 police officials combing the venue on Monday night and taking guard at all the gates.

Cricket Association of Bengal's Joint Secretary Samar Pal said, ''Last night, the police officials came and checked every inch of the stadium."

"There is a strong posse of policemen around the greens and also at every gate of the stadium. Everyone entering the stadium for the renovation work and otherwise is being frisked. We have also beefed up our internal security system. No one is taking any chances,'' he added.

The Kolkata Police top brass held a marathon meeting at the Lalbazar police headquarters on Monday night to finalise the security arrangements. The meeting, headed by Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakraborty, was attended by Joint CPs S N Sarkar, Zulfikar Hasan, Sudhir Mishra and Pradip Chatterjee and Deputy Commissioners Vishal Garg and Vineet Goyel.

''We know about the e-mail. We have taken all pre-emptive measures, like beefing up the security at the team hotel and at all entry and exit points of the city. A special watch has been kept at the cyber cafes also. The Pakistan team arrives as per schedule on Wednesday,'' said Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) Vineet Goel.

''At least 7,000 policemen would be deployed for the security of the Pakistani and Indian cricket teams. A very tight security has been planned out for the Pakistani team bus for its entire route, from the hotel to the stadium, even during practice sessions before the test match,'' a senior police official added.

No one would be allowed to go near any of Pakistani team members, even for an autograph and the fans' entry to the stadium during practice sessions would also be curtailed, said CAB sources.

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Source: source