KXIP cites terrorism, unrest in Punjab to move out of Mohali

Jaswinder Singh Baidwan

Akhran da mureed
Staff member
IPL franchisee Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) wishes to move its home venue from Mohali to Dharamsala and Pune, citing “serious” concerns over “terrorism” and “local unrest” in Punjab.
KXIP has made the request for a change in its home venue to the IPL Governing Council and the Indian cricket board (BCCI). The IPL franchisee bases its argument on claims which seem exaggerated and unduly alarmist. According to sources, the KXIP request cites what the franchisee feels is a “rampant” threat of terrorism and civil unrest in Punjab. Due to this, KXIP says, it feels it cannot assure its players and fans of protection during the matches in Mohali.
In the request, Ness Wadia, director of KPH Dream Cricket Pvt Ltd, owners of KXIP, refers to the recent disturbances in Punjab after copies of the Guru Granth Sahib were desecrated.
He also refers to the July 27 terrorist attack in Gurdaspur.
KXIP has even referred to the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, in which three explosions occurred near a football stadium, the Stade de France. “KXIP has referred to that terrorist attack and said they don’t wish to put their players and fans in a position of risk,” says a source.
From Wadia’s request, it would appear that Punjab is in a grip of a serious security crisis. However, financial reasons seem to be the more pertinent cause behind the wish to move out of Mohali. In February this year, the Chandigarh Police went to the court, demanding a sum of over Rs 4.5 crore from KXIP for providing security for the IPL Seasons 3 to 5.
In response to the Chandigarh Police court case, KXIP had submitted: “In any event the state/police has an obligation to provide adequate security for various events to ensure law and order. KXIP never made requests for additional security.”
Wadia also refers to the demand of tickets by police as causing losses to the team, and the high rate of entertainment tax they must pay in Punjab. As a result, the KXIP management says, the team incurs additional costs for each match played at Mohali, which makes the venue financially unsuitable.
The owners of KXIP have been trying to sell a stake in the team for several years.
A request to the KXIP Chief Operating Officer, Fraser Castellino, for his comments did not elicit any response.
 
Top