Out or not? IPL waits for verdict

Confusion reigned on Thursday, with TV channels stating that the second Indian Premier League was off because the government would not provide security for the event. Even as industry began counting losses, IPL officials denied the development, report Arjun Sen and Aloke Tikku. Yes, no...maybe

Confusion reigned on Thursday, with TV channels stating that the second Indian Premier League was off as the government wouldn’t provide security. Even as industry began counting losses, IPL officials denied the development.

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Tournament director Dhiraj Malhotra told Hindustan Times the TV reports were “untrue”. “We have been working on the revised schedule. As far as we are concerned, the tournament is on. ”

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre would not object if state governments took on the onus of making security arrangements from their own resources. It would, however, be a problem if the states needed central forces, a home ministry official said, saying the MHA could not divert forces from the election process.

The home ministry also said the government was yet to hear from the states on the matter. However some states have made their priorities clear. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Karunanidhi told reporters: “It is better to put on hold these matches than to regret later even if there is one untoward incident.”

Meanwhile, IPl chairman Lalit Modi emailed team owners, saying a revised schedule with the MHA and local administrations was being worked out.