The Hindu : Sport : Chappell hit at airport

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Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007
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Chappell hit at airport

Special Correspondent

NOT A HEARTY WELCOME: Indian cricket team coach Greg Chappell and Gautam Gambhir at the airport in Bhubaneswar. — Photo: AP

BHUBANESWAR: In a bizarre incident, a worker of a regional political outfit broke the police cordon and hit coach Greg Chappell on the back when players of the Indian and West Indies teams arrived at the Biju Patnaik Airport here on Monday afternoon.

Khurda Superintendent of Police Amitav Thakur, however, told The Hindu that the activist who broke police cordon fell on Mr. Chappell, but did not hit him or slap him. The incident occurred at around 2 p.m. when players of both the teams were boarding their respective buses to proceeds to a hotel in the city.

Culprit arrested

Culprit Biranchi Kumar Moharana, a worker of Kalinga Sena, was immediately caught by the security personnel. He has been arrested and a case has been registered against him under different Sections of the Indian Penal Code.

While being taken into custody, Moharana claimed that he hit Chappell as no Orissa player had been included in the Indian cricket team.

He raised slogans against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the coach.

About 50 Kalinga Sena activists had gathered near the airport to protest against non-inclusion of any Orissa players in the Indian team. More arrests were likely in the case.

Chappell not aggrieved

Member of the BCCI selection committee Ranjib Biswal termed the incident at the airport as a minor one and that . Chappell was not aggrieved over the incident.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed anguish over the incident.

He directed the Director General of Police to inquire into the matter and take action against those found guilty.

The teams are scheduled to play the second One Day International between India and West Indies at Barabati stadium in Cuttack on Wednesday.

Security has been tightened in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack following the incident at the airport.

Agencies report

Sourav Ganguly was on Monday ruled fit to take part in the second cricket one-dayer with the left-hander having recovered from a calf strain. Ganguly starred in the series-opener at Nagpur on Sunday with a scintillating 98 but was unable to take the field due to cramps.

``He is OK now. He will play the second match of the series,'' Indian team's media manager Rajan Nair told PTI over phone from Nagpur. ``He had some medication and is now feeling better,'' Nair said.

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