Kolkata Police Notification for Durand Cup Semifinal Ticket Holders

The Kolkata Police have announced that spectators attending the Durand Cup semifinal between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Bengaluru FC will not be permitted to bring tifo, drums, smoke candles, or other flammable materials into the stadium for security reasons. The decision comes in response to the recent protests at RG Kar Medical College. In the notice signed by the joint commissioner of police, Bidhannagar, authorities have requested both teams to inform their respective fans that these items will not be allowed during the match.

"It is requested that the above may clearly be communicated to both the teams and their fans so that the spectators who would be arriving to watch the scheduled match on the 27th August at the VYBK, Salt Lake are aware of the same and they will cooperate with the security agencies in this regard." "We anticipate a positive cooperation from your side and also from the end of the concerned teams (MBSG and Bengaluru FC) in this regard, in the interest of ensuring a smooth and enjoyable semifinal match on the 27th August," they said in the notice.

Amid the protests in Kolkata over the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, the city police and the tournament organisers had earlier cancelled the derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, saying that providing extra security for the clash would be a big challenge.

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In a rare show of camaraderie, supporters of arch-rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan then gathered near the Salt Lake Stadium, the venue of the cancelled Kolkata Derby, to protest the alleged rape and murder of the doctor.

As Asia's oldest football tournament enters the final stages of the competition, Bengaluru FC have their task cut out against the defending champions. Mogan Bagan have not only scored 10 goals but also stoutly defended their citadel, conceding just three goals.