Kolkata Police issues notice to ticket holders ahead of Durand Cup semi-final match

Kolkata Police on Monday said that ticket holders coming for the Durand Cup semi-final between Mohun Bagan Super Giants and Bengaluru FC on Tuesday will not be allowed to enter the stadium with tifo, drums, smoking candles or other inflammable materials. The notice was issued due to security issues in the wake of the protest at RG Kar Medical College. “…It is requested to you through your authority to inform the participating teams i.e. Mohun Bagan Super Giants and Bengaluru FC that no tifo or drums, smoking candles or other inflammable materials will be allowed inside the stadium during the said match,” the officials said in the notice signed by the Joint Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar.

“It is requested that the above information be clearly communicated to both the teams and their fans so that the spectators coming to watch the match scheduled on 27th August at VYBK, Salt Lake are aware of the same and cooperate with the security agencies in this regard. We expect positive cooperation from your side and the respective teams (MBSG and Bengaluru FC) in this regard in the interest of ensuring a smooth and entertaining semi-final match on 27th August,” he said in the notice.

Amid protests in Kolkata over the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, the city police and tournament organisers had earlier cancelled the match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, saying providing additional security for the encounter would be a big challenge.

In a rare display of camaraderie, supporters of arch-rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan gathered near the Salt Lake Stadium, the venue of the cancelled Kolkata derby, to protest against the alleged rape and murder of the doctor.

As they enter the final stages of Asia’s oldest football tournament, Bengaluru FC face a tough challenge against the defending champions. Mogan Bagan have not only scored 10 goals but have also defended their citadel strongly, conceding just three goals.