Bangladesh tightens security after bus stoning

DHAKA, (Reuters) – Bangladesh World Cup security  chiefs today said they would tighten safety procedures  after the West Indies team bus was hit by two stones following  their big victory over the co-hosts in the capital.
“We have reviewed the whole security system and decided to  strengthen it further,” said Mesbah Uddin, the security director  of the World Cup’s local organising committee.
“We will keep the bystanders away from footpaths during the  team’s travel and will put search lights deep into the dark,  narrow alleys on the way,” he said.
Bangladesh fans vented their anger after the hosts were  skittled for their lowest ever ODI score of 58 before falling to  a nine-wicket defeat on Friday.
As the victorious West Indians sat in the bus shortly after  leaving the Shere-Bangla Stadium to return to their hotel, fans  threw stones, two of which hit the window and broke the glass.
Mesbah said the stones came from a dark alley where there  was no security in position.
“Stoning the West Indies team was an isolated incident, an  emotional outburst of a fan, who mistakenly had targeted the  West Indies team,” he said.
“Still we have taken it very seriously and informed the  International Cricket Council (ICC) of the details.”
ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat played down the episode  and dismissed suggestions that matches needed to be moved to  avoid a repeat.
“That’s exactly what we would not like to see… (but) I  think we must have perspective. It’s in fact a minor incident,”  he told a news conference in Chennai.
“My understanding is a few individuals threw pebbles on the  bus and they were pebbles. What since has happened is that  police have made certain arrests and the security is firm enough  to deal with that sort of issue.
“I don’t believe that particular incident justifies any game  to be moved just yet. We’ve got a robust security arrangement in  place and I’m extremely confident that we would see (through)  the tournament as scheduled.”
Fans also vandalised vehicles, burnt banners and garlands in  different parts of the capital Dhaka.
In Magura, 200km from Dhaka, the fans also attacked the home  of Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan and damaged some  windowpanes, a local news agency reported.
Bangladesh’s Elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)  arrested 10 suspects on Friday for throwing stones at the bus.
The attacks, although resulting in no injuries, are an  embarrassment to the Bangladesh government and security forces.
The Bangladesh government diverted money from other  departments to safeguard players, officials and fans — with the  bulk of the $67 million World Cup budget spent on security.
Several important figures in Bangladesh cricket and sport  criticised the reaction of fans at the defeat.
“If untoward incidents of throwing stones at vehicles  carrying players or insulting them continues, foreign teams will  lose interest in playing in Bangladesh,” former captain Habibul  Bashar told Reuters on Saturday.
“We should be alert that a handful of culprits do not spoil  our cricket future. There is no doubt that Bangladeshis love  cricket and their team but the love should not give vent to  frenzy and lawlessness,” Bashar said.
Former sports minister Obaidul Quader told Reuters: “We must  behave if we want to stay within cricket, a sport which has  given our image a new dimension in the world.”