First coins, now keys: Cops annoy spectators

NEW DELHI: Even as thousands of spectators gathered at Siri Fort sports complex to watch the badminton and squash events on Tuesday, a majority of them faced a tough time getting into the venue due to the hyper security arrangements. Spectators complained that basic items like house and car keys, normal-sized handbags and even books and medicines were not allowed into the complex forcing several spectators to turn back.
The people said that complying with security was not a problem, but the guidelines needed to be reasonable.
‘‘Everyone carries house keys. How can they be banned? And if there is a guideline like that, it must be printed on the ticket. How are the people going to know of such restrictions?’’ asked Daksh Khattar, a resident of Defence Colony who had brought his children for a squash match.
The parking lot for the venue is quite some distance away and several spectators had to use public transport to reach the sports complex. They felt it was completely unviable to return after dropping the prohibited items in their vehicles.
‘‘I am carrying a book to read. How can that be a threat to anyone’s security? The match badminton I have come to see starts at 3pm and there is no way I can make it back after dropping my book in my car. In such a situation, there should be some safe place to leave such items. The policemen on duty told me that I can leave it at the entry gate but there was no guarantee that I would get it back,’’ said Supreet Anand, a resident of Safdarjung Development Area.
Scores of people who had come to see the Games had to walk back to the parking lot in the sun or return without watching the event.
Delhi Police, meanwhile, contended that there was a list of prohibited items which had been put up at all the venues. ‘‘Apart from the list of prohibited items, any item which can be used to hurt athletes is banned. Items like books and keys can be hurled at the players,’’ said Rajan Bhagat, Delhi Police spokesperson.
Security glitches apart, the turnout of spectators at the sports complex was picking up as about 1,000 people were present for the badminton events at the venue having a capacity for about 4,700 viewers. The morning event, where Saina Nehwal played, saw bigger crowds. The turnout was a bit lesser for the squash events and it stood at about 300 as against the capacity for 3,500.