NEW DELHI: Security measures in Ahmedabad and at the Narendra Modi Stadium have been heightened in anticipation of the India-Pakistan World Cup match on Saturday. Police heads from diverse units across Gujarat are in a state of "alert mode," closely monitoring potential anti-social elements and sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incidents, according to officials.
The match is set to take place at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, recognized as the world's largest cricket stadium, from 2 pm to 10 pm. Over 6,000 personnel from the Gujarat police force, in collaboration with the National Security Guard (NSG), Rapid Action Force (RAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and others, have been deployed in the city and around the stadium situated in the Motera area.
Vikas Sahay, the Director General of Police (DGP) for Gujarat, highlighted in a media briefing on Friday that the overall security arrangement has been structured into five essential pillars. These include security for the stadium and spectators, traffic and parking management, safeguarding the cricket teams, vigilant monitoring of anti-social elements, and ensuring the prevention of untoward incidents throughout the entire state.
During and after the match, various police units across Gujarat have been directed to remain on high alert, maintaining a close watch on anti-social elements and sensitive areas to avert any potential untoward incidents, as stated by an official.
Different security agencies such as Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), city crime branch, and Special Operations Group (SOG) have been roped in to deal with anti-social elements and terrorists, he said.
At the same time, the units of Gujarat police across the state have been directed to be on alert mode after 8 pm tomorrow, as the match ends at 10 pm on Saturday.
State Reserve Police (SRP) units remain on "alert position" for a quick deployment in case of an emergency, officials said. Four senior IPS officers and 21 deputy commissioner of police (DCP) rank officers have been deployed supervise and guide the personnel, they said.
Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police G S Malik said though the city has never witnessed communal violence during cricket matches played in the city in the past 20 years, security forces were deployed in several communally-sensitive areas as a precautionary measure.
To respond to any chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies during the match, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and NDRF will also be deployed in the city.
Earlier this week, the Ahmedabad crime branch arrested a man for allegedly sending an email threatening attack on the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The accused had allegedly sent an email claiming that there will be a blast in the stadium. Last month, the Gujarat Police registered an FIR against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), for threatening to turn the Cricket World Cup, unveiled on October 5 at Narendra Modi stadium, into "World Terror Cup".
