Chandigarh, October 20
Cricket fans coming from Pakistan will be under strict surveillance during their visit to watch the Champions Trophy matches at Mohali. Even as all hospitality will be extended, there will be no free movement for the visitors from across the border as they enjoyed during the test match in March 2005. Security will be kept at an unobtrusive level, hence it will not send any negative vibes, said officials here.

The Punjab Police, the Chandigarh Police and Central Intelligence agencies have been clearly told by the Union Government that there should not be a repeat of March 2005. Then, at least 11 of the 2,700 Pakistanis had stayed back illegally and it was believed some of them indulged in subversive activities. Then most of the visitors had visas for other cities also including Jaipur, Amritsar, Delhi, Agra and Ajmer.

The Punjab Government was today told by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that all visitors from Pakistan entering through the Wagah border would have to be transported on board special buses directly to Chandigarh or Mohali, where they would be staying. Last year, the visitors were free to go to Amritsar or elsewhere before arriving here. Escort Gypsies of the police shall accompany the buses and the visitors would have to buy a ticket for the journey between Wagah and Chandigarh. The visas would be specific for only visiting Chandigarh and Mohali. The SSP, Mohali, had been asked to set up a foreigners registration counter at the stadium for easy access.

It is still not clear if the visa holders will be exempted from police reporting or not. In the past few years people issued visas for cricket were exempted from reporting to the police. However, the Punjab Police had been asked to keep all possibilities open. In case the visas did not exempt the visiting people from reporting, then the same would be facilitated, a top source confirmed.

Unlike last year when the MHA, at the insistence of the Punjab Cricket Association, had allowed the visitors to stay in houses of people in the city, this time the visitors would be asked to stay only in hotels or guest houses.

The Punjab Government and the Chandigarh Administration had been asked to assist the PCA in finding suitable accommodation in hotels and guest houses and lodges for the visitors. The PCA had demanded more visas and liberal movement for the visitors that had been turned down by the MHA, sources confirmed tonight.

So far, the Home Ministry has given clearance for the grant of visas to around 1,000 Pakistani visitors. Out of this, a portion of visas will be for the two matches of Pakistan scheduled to be played at Mohali on October 25 and October 27. In case Pakistan reaches the semi-finals, its match could be in Mohali on November 1. The demand for visas is much higher.