Pakistan-India match- British police taking foolproof security steps (2 June 1999)
LONDON, June1: British authorities are facing a problem in maintaining security during the India-Pakistan match in Manchester on June 8
02-Jun-1999
2 June 1999
Pakistan-India match: British police taking foolproof security steps
Nasir Malick
LONDON, June1: British authorities are facing a problem in
maintaining security during the India-Pakistan match in Manchester on
June 8. Police are expecting difficulties in controlling the Indian
and Pakistani cricket fans, who may be jostling for seats at
fence-free Old Trafford stadium. Special branch officers are
consulting the security chiefs of British intelligence service MI5,
the Home Office and Foreign Office for information on any potential
flash points.
"We will be looking very closely at increased security for any match
between the two sides," a spokesman of Greater Manchester Police
said. "We will be taking advice from all the relevant bodies and put
into place whatever measures are necessary. It remains a cricket
match and we will want it to stay that way."
However, the biggest problem police are facing is to keep the fans
apart. There are about a million people of Indian origin in Britain
and about half a million of Pakistani origin.
Already there have been signs that many of the English-born fans
supporting teams from the sub-continent are bringing soccer-style
rivalry to the matches.
Tension has already started building between Pakistani and Indian
cricket fans and was witnessed at the match, which England lost to
India.
The Indian fans were seen chanting: "Stand up if you hate Pakistan,"
as the victory of their team became imminent.
Police is understood to have approached the Pakistani and Indian High
Commissioners to exercise their influence on their communities to
exercise restraint.
The two high commissioners have already set fine example by inviting
each other to the parties they held for their respective cricket
teams.
Pakistan High Commissioner Riaz Sami was the first to hold a
reception for the visiting Pakistani cricket team where he also
invited the Indian High Commissioner Mr Lalit Mansingh.
On Monday the Indian High Commissioner held a reception for the
Indian team where Mr Riaz Sami was also present.
The police are also contacting the leaders of both Indian and
Pakistani communities to help maintain a congenial atmosphere during
the match.
Source :: The Dawn (www.dawn.com)