Cuttack: Cricket fans were seen disappointed and created uproar outside Barabati Stadium after they were told all tickets were sold out for the upcoming India-Sri Lanka T20 International here.
The frustrated spectators who had gathered in large numbers to buy tickets at the counters outside the stadium broke barricades and pelted stones. Later, police deployed outside the stadium brought the situation under control.
The cricket fans alleged that not even a single ticket was sold since morning today while the announcement about non-availability of tickets at the counter was made very late by officials of the private bank entrusted with the duty.
"I came yesterday evening and could not buy a ticket despite standing in a huge queue. Today again, I made it to the counter in the wee hours and yet could not get even one ticket. We had queued up here sleepless and skipping breakfast but the officials did not announce earlier that no more tickets were available. They announced it at 11 am after we stood in queue patiently since 5 am," alleged a spectator, who came to Barabati Stadium from Bidanasi.
Another cricket fan from Paradip said he had also tried for a ticket yesterday evening but they were told tickets were sold only till 6 pm whereas the bank officials sold them till 9 pm. "Why were we informed that tickets would not be sold after 6 pm while they were sold till 9 pm! If tickets were decided to be sold on December 16 and 17, how could they be sold out on the first day itself!" he questioned.
While many spectators brought allegations about sale of tickets in black, local police authorities said they have not come across any such incident yet.
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"We were not informed about any deadline of selling tickets till 6 pm by OCA. Yesterday the bank officials had sold tickets till 8.30 pm after which they informed that all the tickets were sold out. Today morning there was some tension after spectators broke the barricade. But now situation is under control," said Biswajit Mohanty, IIC, Cantonment Police Station. He added that strict action will be taken if any black marketing of tickets was found.
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