Bangalore blasts: IPL semis shifted to Mumbai

The BCCI has shifted both the IPL semi-finals, scheduled for April 21 and 22, to Navi Mumbai`s DY Patil Stadium.

Zeecric Bureau

Mumbai: In the aftermath of the low intensity crude bombs that exploded outside Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, the BCCI in a statement announced the decision to shift both the semi-finals to Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. A bomb had exploded outside the stadium minutes before the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians was to begin, leaving 16 people injured. But in lieu of the security concerns raised by the foreign players, the board decided to shift the semi-finals scheduled for April 21 and April 22 from the Garden City. The first blast yesterday had taken place at gate no 12, in which 16 people, including four policemen, received minor injuries while a security volunteer suffered head injuries. He is being treated at Mallya Hospital, about two km away, from the stadium. The second blast took place at Anil Kumble circle, less than half a kilometre from the stadium. None was injured. An explosive was found later in the stadium as the IPL match was on and defused. Timer devices were attached to the three bombs. On Sunday, police found another unexploded bomb few distance away from Chinnaswamy stadium here. The explosive was found wrapped in a bag on MG Road near the stadium at 9.30 am, police said. Police found the first bomb near a bus stop close to gate no 1, the main gate of the stadium, at around 9.00 am. The second explosive device was discovered near an advertisement hoarding just outside the stadium. At least eight to ten people were being interrogated in connection with yesterday`s explosion, police said. One of the bombs discovered this morning have been successfully defused, Additional Commissioner of Police MR Pujar said. "There was no timer device (attached to the bomb). Forensic experts are examining the materials," Pujar informed. "We are in the process of defusing it," they said, adding, search was on in the area to find out if there were more explosives. No arrest has been made so far. "The interrogative process is very much on," they said. The final of the IPL is scheduled for April 25 at Mumbai again.