Jammu and Kashmir cricket body demands apology from Karnataka police

SRINAGAR - While demanding an apology from the Karnataka police, the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) Saturday lodged a strong protest against the arrest of its two players in Bangalore where they had gone to participate in a national championship.

“Our boys were harassed and then released. The Bangalore police should apologise for the harassment of players. The JKCA will decide tomorrow (Sunday) whether or not the team should withdraw from the tournament,” general secretary of JKCA Saleem Khan told IANS here.

Describing the Saturday’s incident as ‘most unfortunate and shocking’ Khan said, “We are in touch with our president and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah to decide the future course of action.”

He said the team had been accommodated inside a hostel in the stadium complex by the hosts and their baggage had been checked during check-in Friday.

The arrest of the two players has shocked the cricket lovers here who say the players were harassed as they belonged to the valley.

Senior state government officials were on toes as the news of the arrest of Parvez Rasool and Mehraj-ud-Din who were picked up by the Bangalore police on the suspicion of carrying explosive reached them this afternoon.

Sources said top police officers contacted their counterparts in Bangalore immediately to ensure the players were released without any delay.

“Such incidents are unfortunate and only add to the alienation. The development should have been handled carefully without the media hype,” said a former cricketer.

A senior JKCA member said the bags had been given to the players by the association before their departure and had been purchased in New Delhi recently.