Students try to set ticket counter afire; hurl stones

Jamshedpur, Apr 9 (UNI) Unable to get tickets for the India-England ODI to be held here on Wednesday due to a sold-out, enraged students pelted stones and tried to set the closed counters afire here today.

Police forces deployed near the ticket-counters had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the agitated students and took control over the situation.

Jharkhand Cricket Association president Amitabh Chowdhary said the tickets for the students were sold yesterday and the JSCA had already announced that today the students' counters (Rs 250) and the ticket counters of Rs 600 would remain closed.

However, the tickets of Rs 800 would be sold till tomorrow, he said.

Mr Chowdhury said the lush green stadium was ready to host the sixth ODI. He claimed the Keenan pitch would be the best one among the venues the teams played so far.

Tata Sons director and patorn-in-chief of the ODI committee Dr J J Irani today visited the ground and the pitch and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements, Mr Chowdhary said.

He said both the teams would arrive here at around 1200 hrs in two chartered planes via Ranchi and the JSCA would organise a traditional tribal dance 'Rinjha' to welcome the guests at the Sonari airport here tomorrow.

Mr Chowdhury said the two teams are scheduled to practice on day after tomorrow.

UNI BDG PC DH RAI2041