No major damage to Mohali pitch: Police

One of the pitches of the cricket stadium in Mohali suffered minor damage Thursday when Shiv Sena members broke the security cordon and entered the ground, officials said.

Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) officials said the protesters damaged a corner of one of the pitches in the stadium, which is to host a Test match during Pakistan's upcoming tour.

The officials said police and private security guards stopped the activists, who were protesting against the Pakistan tour, before they could damage the main pitch.

Twelve people have been arrested, police said.

Mohali Superintendent of Police Rakesh Aggarwal said no major damage had been caused to the pitch and security had been stepped up around the stadium.

According to eyewitnesses, the Shiv Sena activists shouted anti-Pakistan slogans as they stormed the PCA stadium.

Pakistan is scheduled to play three Tests and five One-Day internationals during its tour scheduled to begin February 24.

Officials said Pakistan had insisted on the Mohali venue as this would enable hundreds of fans from the country to come and watch them play in India.

Nearly 7,500 tickets have been kept aside for Pakistani spectators for the Test match, they said.

The Shiv Sena had also dug up the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium pitch in Delhi in 1999, the last time Pakistan toured India for a full-fledged series.