Stringent security measures have been adopted to avoid any untoward incident during the India versus Sri Lanka T20 match here on January 5.

Though neither hosts Assam Cricket Association (ACA) nor the administration cited any reason for the security steps being taken for the smooth conduct of the tie, the sustained agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) seems to have prompted the “unprecedented” security measures.

City commissioner of police Munna Prasad Gupta, who addressed a joint news conference with ACA office-bearers on Friday, said nothing, except mobile phone and wallet, would be allowed inside the stadium.

“For the safety and security of the players, officials and spectators, we have adopted several measures in and around the stadium, including deployment of adequate number of security personnel. I appeal to the people not to bring anything to the stadium. We will only allow money purse and mobile phone and may be vehicle keys. No other item will be allowed inside the stadium. I hope the spectators will cooperate with us,” he said.

With this mandate, the spectators will not be able to bring any poster of their favourite players or display eye-catchy slogans on banners.

Security personnel scan ACA stadium with the help of sniffer dogs on Friday. Picture by UB Photos

However, the Tricolour might be allowed. “Yes, we can allow the Indian flag but no sketch pen and other stuff will be allowed,” Gupta, who recently joined as the commissioner of police, added.

However, ACA secretary Devajit Saikia categorically said that nothing except wallets and mobile phones would be allowed inside the stadium. He said they were following the BCCI guidelines.

“This is not a special case for Assam but a pan-India phenomenon. A special anti-corruption unit is already here to monitor everything, including the crowd movement,” he added.

Sources in the state home department said they don’t want to take any chance.

There are apprehensions that protesters may display banners and slogans against CAA. The All Assam Students’ Union has been vocal and carrying out protests along with other organisations across the state.

The match will start from 7pm but the gates will open at 4pm.

The sale of tickets has been overwhelming. Of the 39,400 tickets on sale, more than 27,000 tickets has been sold out.

The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), one of the agencies working in close coordination with hosts ACA for smooth conduct of the game, engaged over 600 personnel over the past five days to spruce up the city for the tie.

“Our main work is to ensure proper lighting and cleanliness during such a world-class event. We have completed our work,” GMC commissioner Debeswar Malakar said.

City traffic police have also made elaborate arrangements for the match.

Additional reporting by Sanjana Bordoloi