Watertight security at Wankhede for World Cup final
April 2nd, 2011 - 8:09 pm ICT by IANS
Mumbai, April 2 (IANS) A thick security cover was thrown in and around the Wankhede Stadium, as well as in the city, for the cricket World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka here Saturday.
Media persons had to go through a three-layered security check and were even asked to take their shoes off for a scan.
All accredited media, including officials of the host broadcasters, was scanned thoroughly at the stadium’s University Gate entrance.
Metal detectors and sniffer dogs were in place while gun-toting security guards kept vigil at each entry point into the stands.
Even coins were not allowed inside. Some disgruntled journalists argued with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at the gate, but in vain.
Some Mumbai police officers, who were in charge of security inside the stadium, also had to part with their coins.
Fans started queuing up to watch the match almost five hours before the schedule start of 2.30 p.m.
Several dignitaries including Indian president Pratibha Patil and Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse watched the match.
Security was heightened in south Mumbai with several police teams, the National Security Guard, Maharashtra’s elite Force One, Rapid Action Force, State Reserve Police Force and Quick Response Team keeping a strict vigil at the stadium.
The city police had prohibited decided not to allow parking within a radius of one kilometre of the stadium and have also appealed to spectators to opt for public transport instead of private vehicles.
Though the previous two matches at the stadium - New Zealand vs Canada (March 13) and New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (March 18) — went off without a hitch, police were much more alert ahead of the finale.
The Maharashtra government had declared Saturday a special public holiday and most private offices in the city declared it a half-day.
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Tags: accredited media, central industrial security, cricket world cup, elite force, gate entrance, indian president, maharashtra government, mahinda rajapakse, media persons, mumbai police, police teams, president pratibha patil, private offices, quick response team, reserve police, sniffer dogs, south mumbai, sri lankan president, strict vigil, wankhede stadium