Activist attacks Greg Chappell in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Jan 22: In a shocking incident, India coach Greg Chappell was attacked by an activist, protesting against non-inclusion of Orissa players in the Indian team, at the the Biju Patnaik Airport here.

The man, who identified himself as Brinchi Maharana of Kalinga Sena, was arrested after he broke through the security cordon and reportedly hit Chappell on the back.

Bhubaneswar SP Amitabh Thakur told sources that the police was well aware of the protest and had also rounded up some activists of the organisation.

''Some Kalinga Sena activists were demonstrating outside the airport. We had information and had already rounded up about 50 of them,'' he said.

''But as the Indian players and coach were coming out, one man tried to jump the security cordon and in the process stumbled and fell on Mr Chappell. He has been arrested and taken for interrogation,'' he added.

He, however, denied any security breach and said the incident occurred as three other airliners had also landed at the same time and the offender mixed with the passengers who were coming out.

But Orissa Cricket Committee (OCA) member Kamla Nath Pandey said the man tried to slap Chappell.

Chappell on his part refused to say anything on the incident.

''I would not like to comment about this,'' he said.

The SP, meanwhile, maintained that the protestors were not a security threat. Mr Thakur said a strict vigil was being maintained at the hotel where the players are staying.

Incidentally Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and West Indies skipper Brian Lara have been provided Z-category security.

UNI