15 March,2009 07:30 AM IST | | PTI
In another jolt to the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bangalore police on Saturday declined to provide security cover for the cricket tournament till May 3 and advised organisers to hold all matches after May 4.
"Bangalore City police will not be in a position to provide security for IPL matches until May 3 in view of our commitments regarding Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka on April 23 and April 30," Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari said.
In a letter addressed to the Bangalore Royal Challengers, the local team owned by liquor baron Dr Vijay Mallya, Bidari said police will also not be able to provide security for matches from May 15 to 18 in view of counting of votes on May 16.
However, Bidari said security could be provided if matches are played on May 4, 7, 10, 11, 14, 19 and 20, suggesting the organisers to reschedule the dates.
As per the schedule drawn prior to the announcement of Lok Sabha polls, matches were to be played on April 14, 19, 23 and May 3, 7, 15 and 19.
V Shashikanth, a Royal Challengers' representative, had held talks with the police commissioner on Friday about the security issue.
