Sandeep Mishra for Times News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 24: Don’t slap us again: Greg" — Greg Chappell put this in writing on a notice board at Hotel Mayfair Lagoon, hours after he was :slapped and punched" by one Biranchi Moharana on Monday.
The Indian cricket coach, understandably upset, did not share his feelings with the media. Nevertheless, he conveyed the message in bold letters on a board, close to the hotel’s swimming pool area, expressing his apparent anger and disgust.
Chappell was reported to be: terribly peeved" after being manhandled at the city airport on Monday, leading to the putting up of this strong message. But, according to sources, he was pacified and decided to let the incident pass after several persons, including Orissa sports minister Debashis Nayak, DIG of police YB Khurania and some Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) functionaries tendered apologies.
On Monday evening, Chappell and his wife accompanied the Indian players to a dinner party hosted by national selector and OCA president Ranjib Biswal at his residence. The :don’t slap us again" message was removed on Tuesday, apparently to bury the issue. :I am fine. I have overcome the incident," Chappell said at the Barabati Stadium on the eve of the ODI. Chappell did not lodge a complaint with the police.
Guru Greg might have preferred to take it in his stride, but what could be disturbing is :reverse-racism" at play. :With Shilpa Shetty becoming a victim of racism and Chappell being an Australian, our choice was obvious. Only recently the Australian team had arrogantly pushed BCCI president and Union minister Sharad Pawar from the dais after the final of the Champions Trophy. :We had planned the assault not only to highlight the cause of Orissa cricketers, but also to send across a strong message that we can retaliate," said a Kalinga Sena member, requesting anonymity.
What is apparently perturbing for the police is that Kalinga Sena, a local political outfit, could outwit everybody and assaulted their :target" in full public glare. :It was pre-planned. A group of about 50 Kalinga Sena activists was protesting about 500m from the airport’s exit terminal, forcing the police to take them into custody. This successfully diverted the police attention from a few activists ‘planted’ amongst the media and public. Biranchi Moharana waited for the opportune moment and hit Chappell," said investigating officer Utkal Das.
President of Kalinga Sena Hemant Rath, who usually leads his outfit’s demonstrations, however, had chosen to stay away on Monday, Das said, adding that Rath has since gone underground. DGP Amarananda Pattanayak will reportedly submit his inquiry report on Wednesday, recommending certain :corrective measures".
Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik, who is attempting a face-saving exercise for the state, told TOI, :The people of Orissa are known for their cordiality and hospitality. This was a terrible aberration. The DGP will submit his report as fast as possible."
The OCA, according to insiders, plans to apologise to Chappell before Wednesday’s match.