Police chief puts cops on alert for World Cup

The Mumbai police are not taking any chances with security for the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, 2011, matches to be played in the city, more so during the final match on April 2.

The Mumbai police are not taking any chances with security for the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, 2011, matches to be played in the city, more so during the final match on April 2.

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Mumbai police commissioner Sanjeev Dayal has issued a circular to police stations across the city to be on look out for vehicles that might be stolen with the possible intention of launching attacks on foreigners nationals during the tournament.

The circular issued on January 29 – a copy of which is in HT’s possession – enunciates three points. To begin with, it calls for keeping tabs on known bookies and taking action against those involved in betting. The second point lists various dos for the police and says they should keep an eye out to prevent laptop thefts. It also asks the police to be vigilant about vehicle thefts and to ensure safety of foreigners.

“Stolen vehicles can be used for criminal or terror acts and so we need to be vigilant about them,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity, while pointing out that the Indian Mujehiddin (IM) had used a stolen car to carry out blasts in Ahmedabad in July 2008.

Rajnish Seth, the joint commissioner of police, Law and Order, while trying to downplay the circular, said that it was general in nature.