Assam CM says probe in full swing into stone pelting at Australia team bus

GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said an investigation “is going on in full swing” into the stone throwing at a bus carrying the Australian cricket team after a twenty20 match against India here on Tuesday night.

Terming the incident “unfortunate”, the chief minister said it was a “devious act to tarnish Guwahati’s reputation as an emerging sports hub”.

Sonowal said he has directed Assam chief secretary Vinod Kumar Pipersenia to conduct the inquiry and submit a report to him. “Culprits will get exemplary punishment,” the chief minister added.

Two people have been apprehended in connection with Tuesday night’s incident.

Referring to the security arrangements put in place for international sports events in the state, the chief minister cited an appreciation letter from Roma Khanna, the head of venue operation for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. The football event is currently ongoing in six cities, including Guwahati.

According to a statement issued by the chief minister, Khanna termed the security and facilities provided to teams in Guwahati as immaculate and said these had set the benchmark for other events of such stature that India might host in the future.

Meanwhile, as per the direction of Sonowal, a team comprising state sports minister Naba Kumar Doley, chief secretary Pipersenia and the police chief met the Australian team to show the government’s support and brief them about the security arrangements that have been made after the incident.