Sri Lankan cricketers breach security in Kolkata

[minisoji]

KOLKATA: Throwing policemen into a tizzy, several Sri Lankan cricketers, including skipper Kumar Sangakkara, batsmen Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan, left their hotel here Monday night without proper security cover, an official said Wednesday.

The players left without informing the managers and the securitymen posted at the hotel.

"We had told the players when they came to the city not to leave alone. Police also briefed them. But still if some of them leave individually for a party, what can we do?" Sri Lankan local manager Samir Dasgupta told IANS.

Sources said the cricketers had left for a bar at Camac Street in South Kolkata at 11 p.m. While some of them returned within an hour, Sangakkara, Jayasuriya and Dilshan returned after 2 a.m.

"We don't approve of what these players have done. This has created a security problem. I have been told that they forced the security men at the hotel to let them go. And their manager (Brendon Kurruppu) also supported them," city Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakraborty told IANS.

Chakraborty said the cricketers have been advised not to venture out of the hotel in the evening.

"And even if they have to go, they must inform the police in advance and go with proper police escort and return before 10 p.m. None of these security guidelines have been adhered to," he said.

He said the matter was taken up with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Jagmohan Dalmiya who spoke to the Sri Lankan team.

"He has assured us that such things will not be repeated," he said.

Meanwhile, the police have also expressed unhappiness with the CAB for not demolishing portions of the outer wall so that the team bus could go right upto the dressing rooms on practice days and the Dec 24 match.

However, asked whether the police have dropped the plan, city police joint commissioner (headquarters) Javed Shamim said: "No, no, see what happens tomorrow (Thursday). We will take a decision then."

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