New Delhi: With the Pakistan government demanding foolproof security for their cricket team, Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs of India, on Thursday said the government is very much concerned about the security of the players.
"We are not concerned about anything; the Home Ministry is concerned about the security only. Whether India plays with Pakistan or any other country, it is not our concern. My only concern is that anybody who is in India whether Indian citizen or any other person must be given proper security," Rijiju told the media here.
"We have already communicated to the all the states, where the games are going to be hosted, necessary security arrangements must be put in place," he added.
In response to Pakistan seeking a written assurance from India, Rjijiu said he doesn't know about Pakistan's stand, adding that the Home Ministry is there to protect all the teams participating in the World Cup.
"It is our sovereign duty to secure everybody, who is in the Indian Territory. Why we should give in written, when we have approved CISF to provide security in the venue," he added.
Rijiju further said that he has met BCCI General Secretary Anurag Thakur and has briefed him on the security aspects adding that the BCCI must pay full advance money to the Home Ministry.
The Pakistan cricket team will be allowed to visit India only after an assurance of foolproof security from the Indian government for the World Twenty20, the country's Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said on Thursday.
"Indian government should give public guarantee of foolproof security to the Pakistan cricket team, if not assured then the team would not be given permission to participate in the World T20," said Nisar while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Nisar also described the threats as ' Pakistan specific' and questioned his country's cricket side's ability to put up their best performance in an environment of fear.
