Chavan Assures Australian Cricketers Security

Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan has promised all security to Australian cricketers participating in IPL and facing threats from Shiv Sena, reported NDTV.

“Everyone in Maharashtra is safe, provided they have come here legally. I don’t see the need to respond to these questions every day. If teams have concerns we will speak to them and provide whatever is required,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan promised.

Chavan’s remarks came after Australian cricketers of the Deccan Chargers franchise asked the Maharashtra government to guarantee their security in the wake of Shiv Sena threats.

Australian cricketers are bothered about the statement given by Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Monday that ‘Australian players cannot play matches in Maharashtra’. His threat is in retaliation against attacks against Indians in Australia.

It may be mentioned that 13 matches are to be played in Maharashtra with 20 Australian players taking part across seven teams. However, only the Mumbai team does not have a single Australian player.

Responding to Sena threat, Congress leader Narayan Rane was quoted as saying: “The Shiv Sena couldn’t stop Rahul Gandhi from coming to Mumbai, so let’s see how they’ll stop the Australian players from coming here. They can’t protect themselves, how will they stop others.”

This weekend’s terror attack in Pune at the German Bakery has also led the government to reveal that the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has a new strategy: To target places frequented by foreigners in cities like Nagpur and Mumbai.

The Chargers’ Australian players have asked for a week to reconfirm whether they will travel to India for the IPL matches, report said.

The team, which was the Season 2 champion, has four Australians, including Captain Adam Gilchrist.

The team has said that if its Australians decide not to play, the entire team will pull out of the IPL, said report.