Kathmandu. Nepal Police has prepared a special security plan to make the Nepal Premier League (NPL) which started from today, safe and dignified.
Special police teams have been deployed to keep an eye on activities ranging from betting to match fixing during the matches.
District Police SP Dan Bahadur Thapa said that an effective security plan has been made after regular discussions with the organizer Nepal Cricket Association (CAN).
He said policemen in plain clothes have also been deployed to prevent any unwanted activity during the game. Special police teams have been formed to monitor activities ranging from online betting to match fixing.
Some policemen from the police headquarters and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) have also been deployed to keep an eye on possible match-fixing.
Last season, the police had arrested Indian citizens who were conducting betting sitting in the cricket stadium. This time also such gangs may become active. In view of this, along with digital surveillance, regular monitoring will be done by deploying policemen in plain clothes.
Since NPL is also related to the prestige of the country, preparations are being made to deploy a large number of policemen to ensure that there is no negligence in security arrangements. This time more foreign players are participating in the competition as compared to previous years.
Special arrangements have also been made keeping in mind the safety of foreign players. 1,125 policemen will be deployed during the inaugural match.
Apart from this, it has also been decided to deploy armed police force on the outer perimeter of Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground. Policemen have also been deployed for security in the hotels where the players stay.
SP Thapa said that security checks will be done daily in the stadium with the help of trained dogs. Along with this, drones will also be used.
He said that policing will be done in NPL based on intelligence information. Maximum use of technology will be made along with gathering information through policemen deployed in plain clothes.
A meeting was held on Saturday between the District Police Office, security officials and CAN officials regarding the security of NPL. On Sunday evening, senior police officers visited the stadium area and took information about the security arrangements.
Apart from this, incidents of sloganeering by spectators outside the stadium due to non-availability of tickets were also reported. The police have requested to provide information to the audience regarding ticket distribution in a timely and transparent manner.
According to the police, social media will also be monitored. SP Thapa said that social media will be monitored to control online betting and activities that disturb social harmony.