NEW DELHI, JANUARY 20: The Delhi Police have tightened security arrangements in and around IGI airport and other locations likely to be visited by the Pakistani cricket team following intelligence reports that hundreds of Shiv Sainiks have gathered at various locations outside the city. The tourists will touch down at the airport tomorrow and will leave for Gwalior the day after. The police fear that Shiv Sainiks might attempt to storm the Airport or the Taj Palace hotel, where the visitors will spend 24 hours. Hundreds of policemen have been deployed at both places.Even Police Commissioner V.N.Singh said there are reports that Shiv Sainiks from Haryana, UP and other neighbouring states as well as cities like Nagpur might attempt to sneak in to the Capital.
He said he has requested other state police chiefs to send `spotters' --those familiar with the Shiv Sainiks -- to Delhi so that trouble-makers can be identified easily.
Singh said tomorrow's security arrangements for the Pakistanis have been divided into five parts on arrival, en route to the hotel, at the hotel, during their press conference and their return trip to the airport on their way to Gwalior.
After playing a three-day game in Gwalior, the tourists will come back to Delhi on January 26. They will leave for Chennai next day. They are scheduled to return to Delhi on February 2 to play the second test beginning two days later at the Ferozeshah Kotla Ground.
Besides security personnel at the airport and hotel, a group of armed Delhi policemen will be accompanying the Pakistani team from the time they land at the airport till they leave for Gwalior 24 hours later. If any member of the team wishes to leave the hotel, he will be provided with personal security.
Singh said the Delhi Police alone would be responsible for the security of the players and officials from the time of their arrival at the IGI airport, and their subsequent trips to the Capital.
Also, officials of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) have already been provided personal security to thwart and possible attacks by Shiv Sainiks.
So far, the Delhi Police have made 30 preventive arrests to counter any attempts by Shiv Sainiks to disrupt the Pakistani tour. Singh said the police are keeping a close watch on the movements of Shiv Sena Delhi unit chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal and if need be, would arrest him ``at the appropriate time''.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.