Ahead of the Pakistan team’s arrival for the ensuing Women’s Cricket World Cup at Cuttack, the city police on Sunday took 10 activists of Utkal Bharat, including former MP Kharvel Swain, into custody as the outfit was agitating against their participation in the tournament.
The police picked up Swain and others while they were on their way to Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar. “The agitators are likely to be detained till arrival of the Pakistan team,” a senior police officer said.
“Pakistani players are scheduled to arrive here this evening. They will be lodged in Cuttack close to the Barabati Stadium while three other teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are to stay in Bhubaneswar,” Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) secretary Asribad Behera said.
While all the matches involving Pakistani players will be played at Barabati Stadium, other matches will be held at DRIEMS Ground at Tangi, 20 km from Cuttack city.
“The (Pakistani) players may go to Railway Stadium in Bhubaneswar for practice,” Behera said.
However, sources said the movement of Pakistani team would remain confined to Barabati Stadium. They would play a practice match against Odisha Women’s cricket team at Barabati Stadium on Monday and the day after.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Odisha Police led by Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Mishra on Sunday visited the Barabati Stadium and inspected the security arrangements for the Pakistani players.
