07 December 2004	Tuesday	24 Shawwal 1425

DHAKA, Dec 6: An Indian security team arrived here on Monday to examine whether it was safe for its cricketers to stay here for the scheduled 22-day tour in Bangladesh , particularly after the reported death threat to the players by a self-styled militant group.

The five-member security team, which already had a meeting with the home ministry officials, was however assured by the government of all out cooperation for an independent investigation into the death threat.

The reported threat put on hold the Indian team's tour of Bangladesh as per schedule. The government assured foolproof security arrangements for the players once the Indian players arrived as the visitors had demanded strict security at the airport, to and from airport and hotels, in and around the stadiums.

The Indian squad was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday to play two Test matches and three One-dayers at venues in Dhaka and Chittagong. Bangladesh is still confident that the tour will go ahead as it believes the threat is baseless and nothing but a hoax.

But it may need rescheduling subject to the Indian assessment report, according to Bangladesh Cricket Board officials. "The Indian team may take one or two days to assess the entire security arrangements for the matches and the players," BCB Chairman Ali Asghar Loby MP told the press this evening.

"They were assured by the home ministry that they are free to go wherever they want to go, and the ministry would provide all out cooperation in this regard." Earlier in the day, Bangladesh State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar told reporters that they had been "examining" the threat for the past three days and found it to have no basis.

"We are now convinced that the whole thing is bogus and a hoax," he said emerging from a routine meeting for the upcoming Saarc meet here. However, the BCB is likely to reschedule the fixture of two Tests and three One-dayers to be held in Dhaka and Chittagong.

The second Test and single One-day in Chittagong are likely to be shifted to Dhaka for security reasons if India finally decides to go ahead with the tour, said an official.