Orissa CM directs DGP to inquire into Greg Chappell manhandling case

Bhubaneswar, Jan 22 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today directed state Director General of Police Amrananda Pattnaik to inquire into the reported manhandling of Indian coach Greg Chappell at the Biju Patnaik airport here this afternoon.

Mr Patnaik who expressed shock over the incident, asked the DGP to take 'strong action' against the miscreant who tried to assault Chappell when he was boarding the bus along with Team India players.

The Chief Minister said the police should inquire as to how the miscreant had breadhed the security cordon and tried to assault the India team coach at the Airport.

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

Bhubaneswar SP Amitabh Thakur said the police had earlier rounded up some activists of Kalinga Sena near the Airport for staging demonstration against the BCCI.

Orissa Home Secretary T K Mishra told mediapersons that the man was overpowered by the security before he attempted to manhandle Mr Chappell.

He denied any conspiracy behind such type of vandalism and said the man arrested in connection with the incident has no criminal background and stage managed the incident for self publicity only.

Mr Mishra said after the incident the security arrangement at the Barabati Stadium and near the hotel in Bhubaneswar, where the players of both the teams were staying, had been tightened to avoid any further untoward incident.

UNI