Security measures have been intensified in Ranchi following threats from designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, currently based in the United States, to disrupt the upcoming fourth Test match between India and England, officials reported.
Pannun, recognized as a terrorist by the Home Ministry, allegedly issued warnings via social media, urging the banned CPI (Maoist) group to intervene and disrupt the scheduled match at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, commencing on February 23. The England team, led by Ben Stokes, arrived in the city on Tuesday.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Hatia, P.K. Mishra, stated, “Gurupatwant Singh Pannun has threatened to cancel the India-England match in Ranchi. He also called upon the CPI (Maoist) to create disturbances to halt the match. The Dhurwa police station has lodged an FIR against him under the IT Act, and an investigation is underway.
Pannun has been under the surveillance of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) since 2019, with the agency’s first case registered against him as a “designated individual terrorist.” The Special NIA Court issued non-bailable warrants of arrest targeting Pannun on February 3, 2021, due to his reputation for spreading fear and terror through threats and intimidation. Additionally, he was declared a “Proclaimed Offender” on November 29 of the same year.
In efforts to curb Pannun’s activities, the NIA seized property belonging to him in Punjab’s Amritsar and Chandigarh in September 2023. Pannun serves as the self-styled general counsel of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group, and his actions have been a cause for concern in Punjab and other parts of the country.
Authorities are taking stringent measures to ensure the safety and security of players, officials, and spectators during the high-profile cricket event in Ranchi.
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