India vows security for Pakistan tour after Hindu pitch raid

A grounds inspector examines the damaged pitch in Delhi. Photo © AFP, 1999

NEW DELHI, Jan 7 (AFP). The Indian government Thursday promised a smooth passage for Pakistan's first Test series on Indian soil in 12 years despite damage to one of the venues by militant Hindus.

About 25 supporters of firebrand Hindu leader Bal Thackeray's Shiv Sena party stormed New Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla stadium, venue of the first Test, on Wednesday night and dug up the pitch. Four were arrested.

Home Secretary B.P. Singh, who is in charge of India's internal security, said the Test match would be played at all costs.

``The crucial match will be held peacefully and with full attendence,'' Singh told reporters, and asserted India will provide ``adequate security to foil any attempt to disrupt the Pakistani tour.''

Delhi cricket secretary Sunil Dev said the damage was ``minimal and repairable'' and was confident the wicket would be ready for the start of the Test series on January 28.

``Cricket lovers all over India are waiting for this tour, and we will make sure it takes place,'' Dev said. ``We cannot be taken to ransom by fanatics not interested in the game.''

The Shiv Sena said they would ``go to any extent'' to prevent the Pakistani cricketers from playing in India.

``Games are played between friends and not enemies,'' said Jaya Bhagwan Goel, the head of the party's Delhi unit. ``How can you play with a country which is bent on destroying you.''

Goel also threatened physical assault on the tourists, saying ``it was now for Pakistan to think about the safety of it's players. Everything is possible in this charged atmosphere.''

In Bombay, Shiv Sena spokesman Subhash Desai said the vanadals were ``real patriots.''

Despite the troubles, Pakistan captain designate Wasim Akram insisted the tour should go ahead.

``Its very sad to hear that some people are bent upon mixing sports and politics. Its very sad that they have showed their anger on a pitch whereas it should have been left to play only,'' Wasim told AFP in Karachi.

``We are going there to better the relations between the two countries and I hope the Indian government will not allow a handful of people to deprive cricket lovers of some action- and tension-packed cricket.''

Police tightened security around the Kotla ground and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ordered other centers staging Pakistan's matches to follow suit.

``All the venues will be protected with immediate effect,'' BCCI secretary Jayawant Lele said.

Pakistan, who last played a Test on Indian soil in March 1987, arrive here on January 21 for a two-Test series, the Asian Test championship opener against India and a triangular one-day series also featuring Sri Lanka across India.

In 1991, firebrand Thackeray's supporters vandalised the pitch at Bombay's Wankhede stadium two days before Pakistan were to start a limited over series there.

Pakistan cancelled that tour, and two more in 1993 and 1994, because of security fears. But they played in India during the 1996 World Cup and the Independence Cup the following year without any problems.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has personally pledged to protect the visitors. His Hindu nationalist party is allied to Thackeray's Shiv Sena

Pakistan are not scheduled to play in the Sena-ruled western state of Maharashtra, including the cricket-crazy state capital of Bombay, during the two-month tour.

Four people arrested for damaging the Kotla wicket admitted they were carrying out orders from Thackeray, who on Monday said his ``boys'' were taking steps to prevent the tour from going ahead.

The vandals struck late on Wednesday after scaling the walls of the stadium. Police on the spot did nothing to stop the damage. Four of them were suspended for their inaction.