West Bengal state government, and Kolkata’s police commissioner Rajeev Kumar have sent letters to the Pakistani government assuring special security measures for Pakistan’s cricket teams in the duration of their stay in Kolkata for the match against India on 19th March.
Suspense over Pakistan’s participation in the World Twenty20 is expected to be over on Friday with the country’s government likely to clear its national cricket team’s departure to India for the mega-event.
The Interior Minister of Pakistan, Chaudhry Nisar Khan will take a call on whether the men and women’s cricket teams will be travelling to India for the tournament.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, President of Cricket Association of Bengal, Sourav Ganguly submitted the letters to Pakistan’s government on behalf of Rajeev Kumar and Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
While the Centre has not given any specific assurances, Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, said on Thursday:
Anyone coming to India will be provided security, there is no doubt about it.
The initial venue of the cricket match was supposed to be in Dharamsala which was later changed to Kolkata due to concerns over security of the Pakistan team.
The concerns initially arose following alleged public comments recently reported by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, warning of demonstration and attempts to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the match.Dave Richardson, CEO, ICC
A three-member delegation from Pakistan requested an assessment of the security arrangements in Dharamsala and stated that “security is not assured” at the venue.
The Pakistan government had initially cleared the team to play in India but decided to put the visit on hold until a foolproof security was guaranteed.
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