GUWAHATI, Sept 27 - The Assam Police�s massive security plan for the grand opening ceremony of the Indian Soccer League (ISL) in Guwahati remains inconclusive as it continues to remain in the dark as far as the arrival of VIPs and VVIPs is concerned.
With less than four days left for the opening ceremony, the Assam Police still does not have the list of celebrities and other dignitaries coming for the inaugural event and hence it is finding it difficult to give the final shape to the security plan.
�We are already short of nearly 700 constables, who are primarily attached with the dignitaries on demand for security purposes. Besides, there is also shortage of sub-inspectors, inspectors and DSPs. However, it is very unfortunate that we still do not know about the exact time of arrival of the celebs,� a top Assam Police official told this reporter.
�We need some time to prepare the duty roster and brief the personnel about the security plan, which may vary from person to person depending on their movement. As of now, we have been kept in the dark,� sources revealed, adding that airports, hotels and the routes are also required to be marked beforehand, which till now has not happened. �Route lining for VVIP movement is another issue we should have addressed by now,� sources stated.
They further said that the organisers have also not been updated about the ticket sales from time to time. �It was only after we enquired that they came up with some figures,� the sources pointed out.
Expressing disgust, top Assam Police officials today held a closed-door meeting with the organisers of the ISL and warned them not to take the security aspect casually.
With a galaxy of stars and celebrities, including Sachin Tendulkar, Nita Ambani, John Abraham, Ranbeer Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan expected to attend the inaugural ceremony at the Sarusajai Sports Complex, top police sources said that several security issues remain un-addressed till this point of time, especially with regard to movement of VIPs and VVIPs.
Top Assam Police sources told this reporter that the Special Branch of the Assam Police, from where the security personnel are drawn, is still clueless, as a result of which no briefing could be done.
Later, at a press conference organised to brief the media on security issues related to the event, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Kula Saikia and Commissioner of Police (Guwahati) Hiren Nath said a three-layered security plan has been chalked out for the event.
However, when asked by this correspondent about the arrival of celebs and VVIPs, the senior officials agreed that the list has not yet been handed over to them and they are taking up the matter very seriously.
�We would ensure that the common spectators do not face problems. The traffic plan will be out soon,� Saikia said.
