Heavy security for Sunday's IPL match

Bangalore City police have made elaborate security arrangements for IPL T20 cricket match scheduled at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. 

Senior police officers held a meeting and decided to ensure foolproof security in view of the blast in Bangalore-Guwahati Express Train at Chennai Central Railway Station on Thursday. 

There are reports that some militant groups are transporting huge quantity of explosives to carry out attacks at several places across the country. 

Moreover, alleged Indian Mujahideen (IM) activists had exploded bombs at the stadium in 2010 minutes before the start of a match.

“City police have tightened security in and around the stadium. The police have also ensured proper security for audience inside the stadium,” Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Kamal Pant said. 

There will be armed guards around the stadium and inside. Around 12 watch towers have been put on to keep tabs on spectators and the entire stadium will be illuminated so that no untoward activities go unnoticed, he said.

There will be three layers of frisking — one at Mahatma Gandhi statue, another at gates, the third at entry points for spectators, he said.

“Over 1,000 policemen drawn from law and order wing and Karnataka State Reserve Police Force (KSRP) would be deployed for security services. Currently, the stadium has been under security surveillance round the clock,” DCP (Central) B R Ravikanthegowda said.

An expert team also conducted anti-sabotage check. Bomb detection and disposal squad team is frequently checking out for explosives. The police are also using sniffer dogs to trace suspicious objects, arms, weapons and explosives. Access control system has been put up to screen every single individual gaining entry into the stadium. 

Those coming out are also being thoroughly screened. 

Metal detectors have been installed to identify arms and explosives. 

“Our men are guarding every gate all 24 hours. As many as 86 CCTV surveillance cameras have been placed to capture every possible action. The police have issued over 2,000 photo identity cards to all workers of KSCA and all vendors. They have been also given security guidelines. They have been directed to look out for suspicious element, movements and objects,” DCP added.