The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has demanded an apology from the Karnataka police for arresting two of its leading cricketers who were in Bangalore to partake in the domestic CK Nayudu cricket tournament.
Talking to this correspondent, the general secretary of the JKCA Saleem Khan described the incident as 'shocking' and said 'the association will decide by tomorrow morning whether or not to pull out the team from the tournament'.
"Our players were harassed for nothing. The boys were provided the accommodation inside the stadium by the hosts and their belongings were searched yesterday. We demand an apology from the police for the arrest of the two players," Khan who is in constant touch with the team official accompanying the players told rediff.com.
The JKCA is headed by the union minister for renewable energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah who sources said had got in touch with authorities in Karnataka.
The two players, Parvez Rasool and Mehraj-ud-Din of the under-22 cricket team were arrested by the Bangalore police this morning when an explosive detecting device picked up traces of explosive from a bag belonging to Parvez Rasool.
The police immediately detained the two players triggering strong protests from the team and the state cricket association and caused a general resentment in the valley.
Latest reports said the two players had been let off by the police and bag sent for forensic examination.
Manzoor Wazir, a member of the cricket association commenting on the incident said the bags had been supplied to the players by the JKCA and these had been procured from New Delhi.
