Elite force to provide security

As many as two units of OCTOPUS (Organisation for Counter Terrorists Operations), an elite anti-terror commando unit of Andhra Pradesh, will remain deployed with other security personnel to combat any untoward incident during the second Test between India and Australia at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium at Uppal, Hyderabad. Firoz Mirza reports.

As many as two units of OCTOPUS (Organisation for Counter Terrorists Operations), an elite anti-terror commando unit of Andhra Pradesh, will remain deployed with other security personnel to combat any untoward incident during the second Test between India and Australia here at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium at Uppal, Hyderabad.

Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad, Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, said on Wednesday that Hyderabad was a safe place and there was nothing to worry about.

"Elaborate arrangements have been made for the March 2-6 Test. We have stepped up security in the wake of the terror attack last week," he said.

“About 250 personnel from the security wing, two units of OCTO-PUS, 270 traffic personnel, more than 1,100 policepersons and five platoons of armed forces will be deployed to ensure security of players, officials and spectators,” said the police commissioner.

Rao also informed that 60 CCTV cameras had been install-ed at various points to keep a vigil in and around the stadium.

Besides, anti-sabotage checks, with the help of 10 bomb detection and disposal squads, would continue round the clock.

The commissioner requested the spectators not to bring items like water bottles, banners, cell phones and eatables to the stadium.

Meanwhile, a mock drill was organised on Wednesday evening at the stadium in which two team buses reached the venue convoyed by commandos from various security units.

Later, the commissioner himself assessed the security arrangements. A meeting between police officers and office-bearers of the Hyderabad Cricket Association was also held late in the evening.