Rajasthan assures adequate security for all IPL matches

Jaipur:

Rajasthan goverment has requested the lucrative Indian Premier League to bring back their inaugural ceremony to the pink city and assured every co-operation including adequate security arrangement for the matches scheduled here.

To take stock of the security situation in the state, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday called a top level meeting, which was attended by the government officials and top cops.

The Chairman of Rajasthan Royals Manoj Badale and tourism minister of the state Bina Kak also attended the parleys.

Gehlot has written a letter to ICC Vice President Sharad Pawar and the BCCI President Shashank Manohar to pave the way for holding all seven matches of defending champions Rajasthan Royals team in the state.

The IPL governing council earlier had shifted inaugural ceremony and the opening match of the tournament, scheduled on April 10, to Mumbai citing the security reasons.

"Keeping in view the feelings of the cricket lovers of Rajasthan, all matches of Rajasthan Royals should be held in Rajasthan," the Chief Minister stated in the letter. Gehlot had also asked for one IPL match at Jodhpur.

Earlier, Shantunu Chari, head of operations for Rajasthan Royals had written to district collector requesting for holding the matches of Shane Warne-led team in Jaipur.

The new president of Rajasthan Cricket Association, Sanjay Dixit confirmed that the RCA has also signed a venue agreement with the Rajasthan Royals.

"Yes, we have entered into a venue agreement with the Rajasthan Royals. We also have assured all co-operation. It is in the interest of all of us that the matches are held here only," said Dixit who defeated IPL commissioner Lalit Modi at the helm of RCA recently.

The state government has requested Union Home Ministry to provide six battalions of paramilitary forces and the Chief Minister also ordered appointment of a nodal officer to help out the IPL organisers.