ICC World Cup at Narendra Modi Stadium: Team reviewing social media, multiple layers of security — police gear up

Apart from surveillance, the security agencies have also got a “counter-terrorism database” ready, which has been updated about the events in the last six months, a top official told The Indian Express.

Of the five matches scheduled to be played in the stadium in Ahmedabad, the India-Pakistan match on October 14 is set to be keenly watched. Spectators will be allowed to carry only purses and mobile phones in all the matches, officials said.

An offence has already been registered against Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in the cyber crime police station after international calls were reported on September 30, with a pre-recorded voice message sent from a foreign number purportedly in Pannu’s voice, threatening disruption of the tournament.

“Trans-national, international to inter-state organised criminals who could potentially cause hindrance, every single one of them is on surveillance. We have adequate staff on the ground in the city who will ensure the safety of the people. We have allotted teams consisting of specially trained commandos. In short, the three spheres of cyber, physical, and telecom will be monitored and we’ll not leave any loose ends,” said Harsh Upadhyay, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ATS), Ahmedabad.

Shripal Shesama, Deputy Commissioner Of Police (Zone-2), Ahmedabad City told The Indian Express, “We have kept men on the ground for deployment and patrolling. There will be routine checks as well. We have specialised units on standby to neutralise any possible threats. Multiple agencies will be coordinating between them. There will be strict monitoring as well throughout the tournament through technology such as CCTV, and body-worn cameras, and if the need arises, we’ll use drones as well.”

“As part of multiple-layer security, personnel would be deployed in shifts. At the stadium, we’ll just be allowing mobile phones and purses and nothing apart from that. We’ll also be deploying watchers who will be amidst the crowd and they will keep providing us updates. Throughout the World Cup, there will be centralised monitoring which will be overseen by the Commissioner of Police and Director General of Police.” he added.

Comparing the security levels to the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shesama added that there is an additional deployment of CCTV cameras compared to IPL and they have added all possible technological tools while also providing emphasis on timely communication between the agencies working together more proactively in view of the tournament. “There is a social media review team for monitoring new developments, keeping an eye on any rumour, fear-mongering posts around the clock to ensure that chaos or any message bombardment doesn’t occur among the masses during the tournament,“ said Ajit Rajian, Deputy Commissioner Of Police (Cyber Crime), Ahmedabad City.

“We will also keep a close surveillance on repeat offenders during this period and have a digital review of the stadium to ensure security,” he added.