CSK players not to wear black badges

After a gap of two years, Chennai will play host to its home team, Chennai Super Kings, in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday but this time under a thick security blanket amid protests against the match in the midst of raging Cauvery row.

Though Monday saw more organisations and film personalities come out in support of "ban IPL" campaign, the BCCI made it clear that Tuesday's match will be held at the M A Chidambaram Stadium as planned even as CSK managers unequivocally rejected the demand for players to sport black badges.

With less than 24 hours to go for the match, the cricket stadium and the five-star hotels, where the teams are put up, have been brought under unprecedented security cover in the wake of renewed threat from fringe groups that they would picket the cricket ground and hold protests in and around the premises. One commando team will also be deployed.

A high-profile police team headed by Chennai Police Commissioner A K Vishwanathan, additional commissioner M C Sarangan, 13 deputy commissioners, 7 additional deputy commissioners, 29 assistant commissioners and 100 inspectors would oversee the security for the event. "Including the officers, nearly 2,000 policemen will be on duty for the peaceful conduct of the match," a senior police officer told DH.

Apprehending that spectators could hold impromptu protests inside the stadium like switching on their mobile flash lights and holding placards in support of Cauvery issue, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) imposed strict conditions by banning banners, flags, mobile phones, bags, radios, laptops, computers and other electronic devices.

It also warned that those throwing any object inside the stadium and on to the ground will be handed over to the Police and ask fans to report to police or authorities if any person moves in "suspicious manner".

"Ambush marketing in any form is strictly prohibited and will result in expulsion from the Stadium as per the AIP (Anti Infringement Police). Spectators are advised not to dishonour the National Flag," the TNCA said in a statement.