OVER 17,000 SECURITY PERSONNEL TO GUARD HOCKEY WORLD CUP

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- As India tries to pacify the international
community that the Hockey World Cup would not be jeopardized by terrorists
groups, the Delhi police announced it will deploy 17,000 security forces for
event.

Authorities are also planning to add 200 commandos and 1,000 paramilitary
for the tournament after major hockey playing nations expressed concerned about
security for their players.

"We have asked for more personnel and our plea has been granted. There are
reports that Australia and New Zealand are reconsidering participation. We do
not want to give them any reason to complain," The Times of India reported
Thursday, quoting an unnamed senior police officer.

With security turning into a burning issue in India, especially after the
bakery bomb blast in Pune, in the state of Maharashtra last Saturday where 11
people have died, Indian security agencies are beefing up security in major
cities.

Countries participating in the tournament from Feb 28 to March 13 are
Australia, Canada, England, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, South Africa,
Spain, India, Argentina, Pakistan and New Zealand.

-- BERNAMA