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Cricket (Sport)

Sri Lankan Cricketers Cause Security Scare in Kolkata Ahead of India Match

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Sri Lankan cricket team's visit to Kolkata ahead of their One-Day International match against India has been marred by a security breach, with five players, including Sanath Jayasuriya and captain Kumar Sangakkara, refusing to heed security warnings and leaving the team hotel to party at a city hangout. The incident has raised concerns about the team's safety, especially in light of the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March this year. The Kolkata Police commissioner has discussed the matter with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) administration, labeling it a "serious security breach".

Key Takeaways:

  • Five Sri Lankan cricketers, including Sanath Jayasuriya and captain Kumar Sangakkara, left the team hotel to party at a city hangout despite security warnings.
  • The incident has been labeled a "serious security breach" by the Kolkata Police commissioner.
  • The Sri Lankan team has had a hawk eye on security arrangements since the terrorist attack on their team bus in Lahore in March this year.
  • Commandos will be deployed in the official team buses ferrying the Indian and Sri Lankan teams to and from the team hotel to the Eden Gardens for the match.
  • Dummy buses will be deployed alongside the team buses, and side patrolling security vehicles will be pressed into service.
  • The Sri Lankan cricket team was put up in a fortress-like hotel in Kolkata since their arrival in the city.
  • The team's local manager, Samir Dasgupta, claimed that the players themselves decided to go out despite a security stricture not to release the players without adequate police cover.
  • The incident has raised concerns about the team's safety, especially in light of the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March this year.
  • The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) administration has discussed the matter with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Statistics:

  • Five Sri Lankan cricketers left the team hotel to party at a city hangout.
  • The incident lasted for four long hours.
  • Commandos will be deployed in the official team buses for the first time.
  • Dummy buses will be deployed alongside the team buses.

Sources:

  • "Sri Lankan cricketers cause security scare in Kolkata ahead of India match" by The Indian Express, Published September 30, 2009.
  • "Kolkata Police commissioner drops in for final recce" by The Indian Express, Published September 30, 2009.
  • "CAB president discusses security breach with police" by The Indian Express, Published September 30, 2009.

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