The Hindu : Front Page : Dhaka refuses to give credence to threat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 07, 2004

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Dhaka refuses to give credence to threat

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA, DEC. 6. Bangladesh has said that it did not give any credence to a militant group's letter threatening the Indian cricket team with "dire consequences" if it visited the country. The team's scheduled visit on December 7 was postponed by due to the threat issued, supposedly, by the Harkat-ul-Jihad.

The State Minister for Home, Lutfozzaman Babar, said there was no militant outfit called the Harkat-ul-Jihad in Bangladesh. "We have never heard of this organisation before. We have taken the report very seriously, enquired about it thoroughly, but failed to give any credence to it... It is a bogus letter."

The Government would take every step to make the Indian cricketers' stay in Bangladesh safe and sound.

Security team arrives

An Indian team arrived here today to assess the situation in the light of the threat.

"In revenge for the killing of 2000 Muslims in Gujarat, we are going to kill Indian cricketers if they visit Bangladesh," an Indian embassy official quoted the letter as saying.

Security has been tightened both in Dhaka and Chittagong. The Bangladesh cricket officials are optimistic that even if the Indian team's arrival is delayed, it will eventually be here.

Ali Azgarh Lobby, president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, said he had discussed the issue with Indian officials and got the impression that they would be taking a positive decision soon.

Squad announced

Bangladesh has announced its 13-member Test squad for the two Test series followed by three one-day internationals with India.

The selectors have retained Habibul Bashar as captain.

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