Final in a fortress sees no trouble

Mateen Hafeez | TNN

Mumbai: The city witnessed heavy bandobast and security arrangements on Saturday as India took on Sri Lanka in the World Cup final. Around 40,000 security personnel were deployed across the city, with 5,000 police personnel posted in and around Wankhede Stadium itself. Till 10 pm the police had reported no major untoward incidents. Security agencies had been on alert following intelligence briefings of a terror threat.

Around 500 commandos belonging to the Quick Response Team, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other agencies were maintaining bandobast near Wankhede Stadium. The security personnel did not allow even the hired help working in buildings near the stadium to pass until they produced identity proof.

Barricades were put up at all entrance gates of the stadium and spectators had to go through multiple security checks before entering. Ticket holders were frisked by personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). All lanes leading towards the stadium were closed and police were deployed outside various buildings. Police vehicles were also stationed at around a dozen places on Marine Drive and nakabandis were held across south Mumbai.

Senior IPS officers were also posted at the hotels where players were staying and the route they took to the stadium. National Security Guard and Force One teams were not part of the bandobast, but were on standby duty. Wankhede was declared a no-fly zone. “Even microlights and paragliding activity was prohibited,” an airport officer said. “Southbound flights from Mumbai had to take a detour,” he said.

“We had reviewed the security before the match. Along with the police, the Coast Guard, Army, Navy and Air Force are monitoring the situation,” said a senior police officer. CCTV cameras were installed in and around the stadium.

Except for the vehicles of the the President of India, President of Sri Lanka and the chief minister, no other vehicles were allowed in a radius of 1 km. Parking for spectators was kept at several gyms, the Nana-Nani park, Cooperage and soon.

The Times of India, April 3, 2011