Odisha Cricket Association tightens security, keeps alternative stadium ready

The Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) has beefed up security in and around Barabati Stadium in Cuttack and has also decided to keep the Railway Stadium here ready as an alternative ground to hold ICC Women's World Cup Group B matches.

These arrangements have been made in view of the protests by Sangh Parivar outfits and small political parties like Kalinga Sena and Utkal Bharat, who have threatened to disrupt the matches of the Pakistani team.

"We have been installing about 35 CCTV cameras at Barabati Stadium besides engaging about 500 private security personnel to ensure safety of players," OCA secretary Asirbad Behera said.

"More CCTV cameras could be installed if the ICC or the BCCI so wished," Behera added.

The state government has already assured foolproof security arrangements to OCA for the visiting cricketers.

"We are preparing the Barabati Stadium, DRIEMS Ground at Tangi and Railway stadium at Bhubaneswar. The BCCI would take the final decision on the venue," Behera said. The Barabati stadium, where Pakistan's matches are to be held, is virtually out of bounds for public as the players are scheduled to arrive in the state for the event in the next 24 hours.

While armed policemen have been deployed in and around the ground, CCTVs would keep a tight vigil at all the entrance and exit gates, galleries and special enclosures, said a security supervisor of the stadium.

"We have started guarding the pitches as BJP's student wing ABVP has issued a threat to dig up play ground before the matches," an OCA source said.