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IPL matches: States want Central paramilitary forces

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Clouds of uncertainty are still looming large over the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket matches slated to be held from next month as security concerns still need to be addressed.

Most of the eight States, where IPL matches are scheduled to be held, are understood to have voiced their helplessness to the Union Home Ministry regarding security requirements for IPL fixtures as well as those of the multi-phase Lok Sabha elections.

Well-placed sources in the Ministry said on Thursday that a majority of the States had conveyed that it would not be possible for them to conduct the Twenty20 matches without adequate security cover of the Central paramilitary forces.

The States are learnt to have said this after the Ministry sought their feedback on the revised IPL schedule.

Ministry assessment

The Ministry will assess their response of the States before taking a decision, over the next couple of days, on the IPL matches scheduled to begin on April 10, the sources said. Home Minister P. Chidambaram is likely to discuss the matter with top Home Ministry officials on Friday.

Not needed, says IPL

The Ministry is also concerned over the availability of paramilitary forces in view of the Lok Sabha elections and simultaneous Assembly polls in three States.

Though the States have sought Central forces, the IPL organisers had conveyed to the Ministry that they do not require any Central forces for security.

The IPL coincides with the Lok Sabha elections and the organisers of the cash-rich league have been forced to revise the schedule to avoid matches on polling days in the host cities.

The five-phased Lok Sabha poll will end on May 13 and counting will take place on May 19 whereas the IPL tournament concludes on May 24.

The 45-day extravaganza will be played among eight teams and spread over eight cities.

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