Revolver concern in the stadium

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, February 20

The spectators present at the ground were curious and concerned when a man armed with a revolver was spotted roaming in the stadium during the match.

However, on inquiring, it was found out that he is a personal security officer of Heena Bajaj, one of the directors of Minerva FC. He was spotted several times around the ground, on the edge of the playing area or in the spectator stands, unaccompanied by Heena Bajaj.

“He was the head of security for the entire stadium operations, with permission to go everywhere,” Heena Bajaj commented through the Minerva FC media cell. “The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) has awarded him with security accreditation... They (AIFF) cannot tell him not to carry his weapon as he has an all-India licence. They (AIFF) were aware he is armed as there was some important VIPs coming.” Asked if AIFF had given permission to carry the weapon inside the stadium, Heena commented: “We don’t need to seek permission from the AIFF, if he is having an All-India licence to carry the weapon.”

Meanwhile, I-League CEO Sunando Dhar said: “We have sought the report of the match commissioner, who is the AIFF’s eyes and ears in a match.” 

“There are security guards present during a football match. So the (AIFF) code doesn’t specify who can carry weapons or who cannot,” he added. “We have to first look whether it is a team member or a security guard or not, who was carrying it and then take a call on it.”

AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said: “I can’t talk about the rule at the top of my head. We will look at the evidence. We got Minerva in (into I-League) as we wanted a team from Punjab and I am happy they are doing well,” Das added. “But a gun on the field of play is unacceptable.” Match commissioner B Balasubramaniam refused to comment on the issue.