Top security for Wills Cup (15 October 1998)

15 October 1998

Top security for Wills Cup

by Zahid Newaz in Dhaka

Unprecedented security measures will be taken during the Wills International Cup in Dhaka city later this month.

More than 2,000 security personnel of 100 platoons will be guarding in and around Bangabandhu National Stadium as the Wills International Cup is scheduled from October 24 to November 2.

Official sources said the security men included 70 platoons metropolitan police, 20 platoons armed police as well as para-military BDR and military police. Private Security men will also be deployed. Besides, plain clothed police have been assigned for the security and they already began their work to avert any untoward incident during the tournament.

Beefing up of security measures will be visible when the test playing squads start arriving the capital from October 18. Zimbabwe will be the first team to come.

Huge number of security personnel will also be deployed at Hotel Sonargaon where the players will be staying and Hotel Sheraton that will host ICC officials and special guests.

Tight security will also be ensured in the three practice grounds, police and BCB officials said. Apart from uniformed security men and traffic police, military police will keep the road free from crowds and traffic jam when the players and guests will move in the city.

"We want to ensure the highest security for all - the players, guests and also the spectators," Bangladesh Cricket Board General Secretary Syed Ashraful Haq told CricInfo365. The BCB official had a meeting with senior police officials on Tuesday night. The meeting reviewed security arrangements for the biggest cricketing show in the country.

For the "mini-world cup" event, a security committee has already been formed with chief of Special Branch, Additional Inspector General of Police Nurul Alam Chowdhury as its chairman. Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Shamsuddin Ahmed is Vice Chairman of the committee while Mahmud-ul-Haq Manu of the BCB Member Secretary. The East and South zones of the DMP have been given special responsibility for the tournament as the venue, practice grounds and hotels are located under their jurisdiction.

"We have chalked out the measures to ensure maximum security," said Shafiqur Rahman, the ADC (East) of the Dhaka Metropoltan Police who is also supervising the arrangements at the field level.

Source :: CricInfo365