Boiling over Cauvery Management Board, Chennai protests against IPL: Around 4000 policemen deployed for security ahead of CSK vs KKR

Chennai, April 10: Today around a squad of 4000 policemen were deployed as security for Chennai Super Kings-Kolkata Knight Riders as Chennai has been hit by the protests against Indian Premier League (IPL) matches which is being held on the grounds of Chennai.

 

Around 7 Indian Premier League matches are scheduled to be held here between April 10 and May 20. Flags and banners have been banned, with commandos and Rapid Action Force personnel forming part of the security for the tie.

Spectators would not be allowed to carry firecrackers, inflammable materials and firearms, besides bags, mobile phones, brief-cases, pagers, radios, digital diaries, laptops, computers, tape-recorders, binoculars, remote control devices, remote control car-keys or any other electronic devices, Taml Nadu Cricket Association said in a release.

The Tamil Nadu government has put the responsibility on the IPL governing body for conducting the matches.

The cricket board has been apprised of "our sentiments," fisheries minister D Jayakumar said.

He said "it would be good" if the BCCI respected the sentiments and not conduct the match here but government would provide all support, including security, as per laid down guidelines.

Political parties and outfits have been demanding that IPL matches not be held at this time, saying the state is witnessing widespread agitations over Cauvery Water issue.

Tamil film star Rajinikanth had suggested that CSK team players play with black bands as a mark of expressing the anguish of people who have been staging protests demanding setting up of Cauvery Management Board.

Police in a release tonight said that as part of the stringent measures, a 4,000 strong police force, comprising one team of commandos and four teams of personnel of Rapid Action Force, besides a number of senior officials, would be part of the security detail inside and outside the M A Chidambaram stadium, where the match will be held. They had earlier said 2,000 personnel would be deployed.

The fans will be allowed entry only after a thorough check, the release said, adding proper traffic arrangements would also be put in place.

While for the record, Tamil Nadu has been constantly on hot pan due to Cauvery Management Board issue. The state has witnessed widespread protests for the past one week, with political parties, farmers outfits and others, including the Tamil cinema industry, urging the Centre to establish the Cauvery Management Board to implement the February 16 verdict of the apex court.