After the blast near Red Fort in Delhi on Monday, security arrangements have been tightened in Kolkata before the Test match between India and South Africa. The first Test match is to be played here at Eden Gardens from 14th November.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma confirmed the high alert and said that special and additional measures are currently being taken.
A Kolkata Police official said, “We are on high alert. Keeping in mind the blast in Delhi, special and additional security arrangements are being made. Special Task Force (STF) will also be deployed along with the police.”
Kolkata Police has started reviewing the security measures in Eden Gardens and surrounding areas. A meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday between Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) officials and Police Commissioner Manoj Verma to finalize the preparations for the first match of the series.
According to sources, Kolkata Police has increased security in the entire city, especially in and around the cricket stadium. Officials will keep a close watch on the movement of all spectators.
Located near West Bengal Assembly, Raj Bhavan, Calcutta High Court and Akashvani, this stadium comes in high security area. Every person coming to watch this match will be checked at least twice through metal scanner. Policemen in plain clothes will be deployed inside and outside the stadium. Entry with suspicious items or bags will be strictly prohibited.
Apart from this, security has been tightened in the hotels of the city where the Indian and South African cricket teams are staying. The source has said that keeping security in mind, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir’s plan to visit Kalighat temple on Tuesday may be postponed.
10 people died in a car explosion near the Red Fort at around 6.52 pm on Monday evening. Many people have also been injured.
RSG
