Hardik threatens to block teams’ way to stadium

Quota stir leader in Gujarat–Hardik Patel–on Friday threatened to block the way of Indian and South African cricket teams to the Rajkot stadium on the match <g data-gr-id="16">day-where</g> the third one-day international match of the Gandhi-Mandela series will be played on October 18.

The 22-year-old Patel quota spearhead also said that Patel community members will cordon off Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium in Khanderi village on outskirts of Rajkot city as tickets were allegedly not sold to his community members.

Police <g data-gr-id="18">has</g> made elaborate security arrangements after the threat by Hardik and decided to fortify the stadium and the city with large deployment to ensure smooth conduct of the match.

Police will deploy three unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) and 90 CCTv cameras will be installed for security purposes.

Both the Indian and South Africa teams arrived in the city on Thursday and will practice on the ground on Saturday.

“Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) should clarify on why they declared that all tickets are sold in spite of the fact that many tickets yet remain unsold,” Hardik said.