City’s Chinnaswamy Stadium has been turned into a virtual security fortress, for the first of Twenty-20 between India–Pakistan cricket series to be held on December 25, Christmas Day.
The elite Reponse Counter Terrorism Team Garuda Force has taken over the security arrangement at the City’s cricketing amphitheatre. According to Police Commissioner B G Jyothi Prakash Mirji, men in khaki would ensure utmost security thwarting any untoward
incident happening on that day.
The security would be led by four deputy commissioners of police, 27 assistant commissioners, 90 police inspectors, 270 sub-inspectors, 240 assistant sub-inspectors, 1,750 head constables and police constables along with 10 platoons of City Armed
Reserve and 12 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police, apart from the elite Garuda force of counter-terrorism.
Mirji said that groups opposing the cricket match have been warned against creating any nuisance at the venue on the day. “They can protest peacefully elsewhere. We haven’t taken anybody into preventive custody yet. But if we deem it fit, we will also do that. We will spare none who try to disrupt the match,” he added.
The police have also deployed extensive CCTV cameras to monitor the security arrangements at the stadium.
“Besides the stadium, and its entrances, all major roads leading to the stadium and around it have been put under CCTV watch,” he added.
The City police, in co-ordination with Pakistani authorities, have taken special precaution for the security arrangement for the Pakistani cricket team.
A detailed dos’ and don’ts for spectators has been issued for those coming for the match. The traffic two-ways on Queen’s Road has been blocked on December 25 from 11 am to 12 midnight.
Parking
Parking in and around the stadium – Queen’s Road, on MG Road from Anil Kumble Circle to Queen’s Circle, Link Road, Raj Bhavan Road, Central Street, Cubbon Road, Madras Bank Road, Museum Road, Kasturba Road and Cubbon Park – has also been banned.
Special parking facilities for vehicles of spectators have been arranged at Shivajinagar Bus Stand, Sri Kanteerava Stadium and in front of Army School, Kamaraja Road.
All gates of the stadium will be opened for public at 2 pm and all of them, including VIPs, would be let in only after a thorough security check. Spectators are required to come to the stadium a little early and co-operate with the police in ensuring security.
nly ticket holders will be allowed through the barricades. A police outpost at Gate No 1 for the convenience of spectators will be operational.
The police have also banned all items into the stadium including water bottles, cameras, food items and any lethal or explosive material.