Expressing displeasure over the manner in which the organisers handled the second T20 cricket match between India and South Africa at Cuttack, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday ordered a probe into the incident by the home secretary.
“The chief minister has asked the home secretary to probe into the matter leading to spectators throwing water bottles to playground. The home secretary is asked to submit his report within a month,” an official said. Patnaik also warned both the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) functionaries and police to remain cautious to prevent recurrence of such incident leading to disruption of game at Barabati Stadium in future.
Patnaik convened an urgent meeting at the state secretariat attended by home secretary Asit Tripathy, DGP Sanjeev Marik, commissioner of police R P Sharma, sports secretary Saswat Mishra and (OCA) secretary Asirbad Behera.
“We have apprised the chief minister about the circumstances under which water bottles were allowed to the spectators gallery. I should not comment outside more,” Behera said after the meeting. Asked what the chief minister suggested to the OCA, Behera said, “He asked us to maintain the name and fame of Barabati Stadium. The chief minister also cautioned that Monday’s incident should not be repeated.”