October 18, 2006	Wednesday	Ramazan 24, 1427

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JAIPUR, Oct 17: Activists belonging to right wing Hindu party, Shiv Sena staged a protest against Pakistan cricket team outside the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Tuesday as the visitors took field against Sri Lanka in their first match.

According to the police, more than 100 Sena activists had come armed with rods and bars to damage the pitch but were not allowed to enter the SMS Stadium premises and security forces chased them away. The activists were also carrying placards and raised slogans against Pakistan.

Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackery had earlier called for a boycott of any cricket match involving Pakistan for its alleged role in the recent Mumbai train blasts.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had asked the International Cricket Council to look into the threats by the Sena party and insisted it was taking the threats seriously. Stringent security measures, including plain-clothe men, were then put in place for the team.

Pakistan team manager Talat Ali later said the players were relaxed and following all the guidelines given to them by the security officials accompanying the team. "The players are moving around freely. Most of the time they don't even know the security is with them. We have been given certain guidelines which we will follow to the hilt to ensure everything goes smoothly," Talat said.