Boards dig out Sena8217;s wrong 8216;un; the tour8217;s on

The resistance by the Kotla staff and the intermittent rains went in vain as the Sainiks succeeded in their mission and most of them fled the scene before the police could arrive. The Sainiks were helped in the mission by the darkness caused due to a power cut.

Indraprastha police station, which is responsible for maintaining security of the Kotla ground, said SI Tarkeshwar was on duty in his PCR van in the area when the sordid act was being carried out. He has reportedly been charged with showing laxity in performance of his duty and suspended.

Tarkeshwar, who according to ground staff was present at the site when the vandalism was being carried out, reportedly remained a mute spectator to the whole affair and did not take steps to stop the Shiv Sena activists, who were carrying fire arms with them.

Police said, four activists of the Shiv Sena have been arrested under sections 452, 427, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code for infiltrating into thestadium and causing substantial damage to government property.

Talking to newsmen here Home Secretary B P Singh said 8220;The crucial match will be held peacefully and with full attendance8221; Home Secretary told reporters here.

The Home Secretary said four police personnel, who were mute spectators have been placed under suspension for security lapse. Asked why security cover was not provided to the stadium in view of the threat, Singh said the DDCA officials sought security protection from Janauary 15 and the police commissioner had agreed to the proposal. The Delhi District Cricket Association DDCA officials are confident of holding the India-Pakistan cricket test at the venue as per schedule from January 28

Indian cricket board president Rajsingh Dungarpur and secretary Jaywant Lele also ruled out any danger in the trip, Pakistan8217;s first full tour since 1987, not coming off while the Pakistan board has announced that they would go by BCCI8217;s assurance on the matter.

Delhi Cricket Association DDCAofficials today admitted extensive damage had been done to the pitch, sodden by rain in the capital for the last two days, but were confident the repair could be completed in a couple of days and the pitch fully made ready for the test within the 21 days left.

Security personnel have been deployed at the Kotla to prevent any similar acts of vandalism in the run up to the test even as ground staff were vigorously working to restore the damaged square, where five of the total of seven pitches have been dug up with the main track suffering 8217;70 per cent overall damage8217;.

Dungarpar said he was talking to his PCB counterpart urging them not to get overworried8217; while Lele said the board was not contemplating any change in the schedule, including the shifting of the test out of Delhi.