Strict vigil on Pak cricket fans bound for Mohali

Chandigarh, Oct 15 (UNI) After 11 Pakistani cricket fans, who had came to watch the India-Pakistan Test match at the PCA stadium in Mohali last year, went ''missing'' the Punjab Police today made it clear that it will keep a strict vigil on the fans from across the border who come to witness the ICC Champions Trophy matches.

The two matches for which the Pak fans are expected to be issued visas are the New Zealand vs Pakistan encounter at the PCA stadium on October 25 and the Pakistan vs South Africa match on October 27 at the same venue.

''We will ensure that no cricket fan from Pakistan disappears from Mohali this time'', Additional Director General of Police (ADGP Chander Sekhar said while talking to mediapersons here today.

The cops will watch them closely, from the time they cross the border at Wagah to their departure, he said. He however made it clear that no one will be harassed and the Pakistan cricket fans ''will feel at home''.

''They can enjoy cricket at the PCA Stadium, stay comfortably at the allocated places and return home before their visa expires,'' he said.

Asked about the number of Pakistani fans coming to Mohali, Mr Chander Sekhar, who is also president of the Chandigarh Hockey Association (CHA) and senior vice-president of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) said ''the information has not yet started trickling in''. The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has earmarked 4000 seats in the 46,000 seating capacity PCA stadium.

According to unconfirmed report, 1000 visas are likely to be issued to the Pakistan cricket fans. Most of the fans would be preferring to watch both group matches in which Pakistan figures at Mohali. There is a possibility that some may purchase tickets for the semi-final to be played on November one hoping that their team would make it to the last four stage.

According to information avaliable, for one match, visa will be issued for only three days, including the day on which the match is played. Special arrangements are expected to be made to extend the visas for the next matches.

During last years India-Pakistan Test, a large number of Pakistani fans were issued visas to visit Shimla, Delhi, Ajmer and Agra.

Eleven of the fans went missing and to date 10 are still on the missing list.

The Punjab Tourism Department is making arrangements for the visitors under its tour package programme. PCA is not offering any hospitality or accommodation to the Pakistan fans on the plea that the Champions Trophy is an affair of the International Cricket Council (ICC) An intimation of the number of visas to be issued may be made to the PCA by the Ministry of External Affairs tomorrow, accoding to PCA Treasurer G S Walia.

UNI