New Delhi - Police ordered thousands of extra security
forces to protect an Indian Premier League cricket game in Chennai on Tuesday
amid threats of protests over a mounting water crisis.
The protests have cast a shadow over Chennai Super Kings
first home game in two years after a two-year ban for illegal gambling.
Tamil groups have said they could protest at the match
against Kolkata Knight Riders, the second match for both teams in the new IPL
season.
"Around 4 000 police personnel will stand guard around
the ground. We have covered all bases to make sure that nothing goes
wrong," a Tamil Nadu state police spokesperson said.
Tamil Nadu has seen mounting protests in the past week over
a disputed accord with neighbouring Karnataka state on how to share water from
the key Cauvery River.
The state government had recommended IPL games be moved out
of Chennai because of the protests but said they would provide security if they
went ahead.
The Chennai stadium is scheduled to host seven IPL matches
between April 10 and May 20.
The Super Kings have also told the sell-out crowd that they
will not be allowed to take mobile phones into the ground as well as bags and
electronic devices.
Some state politicians and activists have lashed out at the
Board of Control for Cricket in India for holding IPL matches in the southern
state.