Maharashtra Police have decided to increase security and enforce strict patrolling in Navi Mumbai in the wake of the horrific incident involving a couple of Australian Women’s cricketers in Indore. A 30-year-old, identified as Aqeel, stalked and attempted to touch the cricketers inappropriately while they were walking back to the team hotel from a cafe in Indore. Widespread outrage has broken out following the incident, forcing police officials to step up the security in order to avoid such an incident again.
24/7 patrolling before Women’s World Cup knockout stage
As per Times of India, a senior Maharashtra Police official informed that around 600 policemen have been deployed on the ground, including 75 officers. The official stated that policemen have been deployed at the team hotels and the venues, in addition to which escort is provided when the team travels. The official also stated that players will be given protection if they inform the police that they wish to travel outside.
“Since the very first day that is, from October 18th, when practice started here, we have deployed guards at all the hotels where the women players are staying. Apart from that, whenever the team travels from the stadium to the hotel or vice versa, we provide them with an escort. Here on the ground, we have deployed approximately 600 personnel, comprising 75 officers and the remainder as police constables. In addition, if any player wants to go out, they must inform us, and we provide them with protection as well,” the official stated.
A Dainik Bhaskar report offered more details on the shameful incident. The accused reportedly followed the two players who were walking back from The Neighbourhood Café near Khajrana Road to the Radisson Blu hotel. The accused allegedly made lewd gestures and even tried grabbing one of the Australian women’s cricket team stars. The report claims that the player sent a SOS (emergency distress) message to the team’s security manager Danny Simmons in the wake of the incident.
The BCCI apologised to Cricket Australia after the incident while the matter has been notified to the ICC as well. Navi Mumbai will host the IND vs AUS semi-final on Thursday followed by the final on Sunday.
