BCCI appoints full time security advisor

The BCCI has appointed former IPS officer Ranjit Kumar Das as its full time security advisor. The move comes after the 2010 season of the IPL was threatened by terror attacks, and ahead of the ICC World Cup, due to be held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2011. Das was also a security advisor to the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi this year.

The ICC had made it mandatory for all full members to appoint a full-time security manager or consultant before December 2009. While all other members had done so in good time, the BCCI is the last one to comply with the direction.

"India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will co-host the ICC Cricket World Cup, cricket's showpiece event, early next year. The addressing of security concerns is paramount," the BCCI said in a statement. "The preparations for the same have begun, and no effort is being spared to put together an event that will not only enhance the image of the sport, but also that of the subcontinent."

Das is a retired IPS (Indian Police Service) officer and served on several security agencies in the country. He was director of the Special Protection Group of the Prime Minister of India and special director of the Intelligence Bureau. He also had a stint at the Indian embassy in Washington DC as liaison officer for international counter terrorism efforts.