Security beefed up
Authorities beefed up security around the Austrian cricket team in Chittagong yesterday after a window of the bus carrying the team was hit by a 'small stone' believed to have been thrown by street children.
The incident took place at Baro Quarter area in Double Mooring on Monday night as the team was returning to the hotel after the first day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Australia, said police officials. No injuries were reported in this connection.
Soon after the incident police started to investigate while a three-member committee, headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) (West), was formed, Salah Mohammed Tanvir, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Crime and Operation) of Chittagong Metropolitan Police told The Daily Star.
"We suspected that the stone might have been thrown by any street children. We have launched an investigation after the incident," said Tanvir adding that the probe committee was asked to submit their findings by two or three-days while security has been tightened for the cricket team's travels.
He however said the stone might also have shot up from under the wheels of any of the other vehicles which were escorting the players.
The incident has been carried widely by international media, especially the Australian media which also detailed the measure of security put in place for this Test series.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) released a statement in this regard yesterday.
"The BCB has taken this matter with utmost seriousness and a high-power committee has been formed by the concerned security agencies to investigate and find out the facts," it said.
"The Board has been in constant communication with the Australian Cricket Team management. As added assurance, security measures have been enhanced on the travelling route of the teams. The Australia Cricket Team has expressed its satisfaction and comfort with the security operation in place and has appreciated the response from the BCB and the local authorities following Monday's incident," the statement added.
The Australian cricket team was originally scheduled to tour Bangladesh in 2015, but postponed the tour over security concerns before being convinced about safety following England's Bangladesh tour last year.
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