The Himachal Pradesh chief minister, Virbhadra Singh said that Pakistan team will be provided fool proof security in the March 18 clash against bitter rivals India but the ex-serviemen and the protesting families of the Indian deceased servicemen will also not be stopped.
Meanwhile, former servicemen of India and the families of Indian deceased servicemen earlier today came out to protest against the highly anticipated match. They believe Pakistan is responsible for repeated terror attacks in India in which many soldiers have sacrificed their lives, thus, the neighbouring country’s team should not be welcomed in the state to play the match.
Families of four Indian deceased servicemen have already slammed the state government for agreeing to host the match between the two Asian giants.
Yesterday, a two-member security team from Pakistan — consisting of director of the Federal Investigation Agency and a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) member — visited Dharmsala along with the Pakistani High Commission official in New Delhi to review the security arrangement for the T20I.
Earlier on Monday, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had said that both the men’s and women’s teams’ plans to travel to India for the World T20 have been put on hold until the delegation, which was in India to assess the security situation, sends its report.
According to Shaharyar, the decision regarding the participation of the two teams lies with the government, which will take a decision after consulting the security delegation.
Giving an update on the situation, Shaharyar said: “Our security team has reached Dharamsala and will be meeting key officials in India regarding the security of Pakistan team.”
He further said: “They [security delegation] are expected to meet the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Himachal Pradesh security officers, and they will see the security plan of the hotel, stadium and bus route. Their report will arrive by Tuesday evening and until then both men’s and women’s teams’ travel plans have been put on hold. The decision will be made by the government and not by the board after reviewing the recommendations in the security report.”
Shaharyar also revealed that International Cricket Council CEO Dave Richardson has sent an email outlining the planned security measures for the national team and that he has forwarded the email to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar.
Explaining the contents of the email, Shaharyar said: “Dave has told us that the Federal government of India has passed an order making it mandatory for the Himachal Pradesh (HP) government to provide security. BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur met with HP Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and told him that full security would have to be given to the Pakistan team, while Indian Interior Minister Rajnath Singh has even stated that paratroopers would be sent if needed.”
Read : PTI’s Imran Khan lambasts Himachal CM over Pak-indo match criticism
