1.38 lakh fans apply for tickets

Lalit Mohan

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Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, February 28

With the opposition to the India-Pakistan match to be held in Dharamsala on March 19 increasing, security agencies have become wary of law and order problem.

Sources said 1.38 lakh people had registered for tickets for the match against the seating capacity of 25,000 in the Dharamsala cricket stadium. The ICC has decided to provide them tickets through a draw of lots.

A large number of seekers are fans from Pakistan who want to visit Dharamsala. Sanjeev Gandhi, hotelier from McLeodganj, said he had received many calls from Lahore for room booking.

The total population of Dharamsala is 50,000.

The administration is expecting that more spectators may lead to chaos as the area is not designed to handle such a large crowd.

Security agencies have directed hoteliers to install CCTV cameras in view of a large number Pakistan cricket fans arriving at Dharamsala.

However, the opposition to the match from ex-servicemen and political leaders of Kangra is also increasing. Kangra is home to soldiers. There are about 40,000 families of ex-servicemen. Almost all ex-servicemen organisations have warned the BCCI against the match.

HPCA officials or its president Anurag Thakur did not visit the families of the martyrs.

Their statements that the match would be held despite opposition have hardened their stance against the match.

Minister for Transport, Technical Education and Food and Civil Supplies, GS Bali has said in view of the sentiments of such large number of soldiers and their families involved against hosting the Pakistan team at Dharamsala, he will oppose the match tooth and nail.

The Congress has also announced that it will hold agitations and not allow the match to take place at Dharamsala.