India vs Pakistan: State govt to provide security?
Petitioner says cancellation of the ICC World Twenty20 match will hold nation in bad light.
Mumbai: Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to provide adequate security for the forthcoming ICC World T20 matches in Dharamshala.
The match between India and Pakistan, which is scheduled to be played on March 19 at the HPCA stadium in Dharamshala, came under cloud after the Chief Minister refused to provide adequate security measure.
Sudhir Prakash Dogra, the Senior Accountant working at the Auditor General (Himachal Pradesh) office had filed a petition in the High Court demanding the obligation on the part of the government to maintain law and order during the match.
The petitioner in its appeal had also stated that if the match was cancelled, its repercussions would be far-reaching for not only his state but also for the country.
In his petition it was also stated that the cancellation or shifting of the match on the pretext of security reasons at the last moment would send a wrong message to the countries participating in the ICC event. It would also raise a sense of insecurity.
The High Court has ultimately directed the state government to resolve the controversy at the earliest and provide adequate measures for the smooth running of the match.
“We hope and trust that the respondents — the state and the HPCA — will resolve the controversy at their own level, while keeping in view the national interests. The Advocate General will put in his best efforts,” the High Court order (the copy of which is in our possession) says.