Kashmir cricketer held in Bangalore, let off (Second Lead)

BANGALORE - An under-22 cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir was arrested here Saturday after traces of explosives were found in his bag but he was freed later. The incident sparked protests from the Jammu and Kashmir cricket officials who accused the Karnataka Police of harassment.

Police said Pervez Rasool, a graduate student from Anantnag, was taken into custody from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, leading to the rescheduling of the first Champions League T20 match between Cape Cobras and Victorian Bushrangers.

Even as he was let off for want of incriminating evidence, the Jammu and Kashmir team manager Hilal Ahmed insisted that two Kashmiri players were detained.

“The police picked up two of our players, Pervez and Mehraj-ud-Din. Both were kept in separate rooms in the police station where I visited them,” Ahmad told the IANS Srinagar bureau over telephone.

The police, however, said they had arrested only one player. “We have released Pervez after questioning,” Bangalore Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari told reporters.

“His bag would be sent to the forensic laboratory. If the result proves positive, Rasool may be detained again,” Bidari said. “Right now he is a free man and free to move around.”

Rasool was staying in the rooms in the Chinnaswamy Stadium after reaching Bangalore late Friday to take part in the C.K. Nayudu tournament.

Bidari said metal detectors at the stadium sent out signals Friday night indicating the presence of explosive. The police were alerted Saturday.

“Our experts searched the area. The signals led to room no. 105 in the stadium. There we found a bag with traces of explosives. The bag belonged to Rasool,” Bidari said. “It appears the bag might have been used in the recent past to transport explosives.”

Security within and around stadium was stepped after the incident. “The matches will go on,” M.R. Pujar, additional commissioner of police, told IANS.

Salim Khan, secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, termed the arrest “100 percent harassment by police. Nothing has been found. He is clean”.

“We demand an apology form the Karnataka police and administration. We may ask the team to return to Kashmir as a mark of protest,” Khan said.

The detention shocked the Jammu and Kashmir team.

“Pervez is our all rounder and he has scored the highest runs in last year’s championships,” team manager Ahmad said. “We are shocked by the arrest of our ace player. He has a bright future and great promise. His brother Asif is also a member of the state Ranji team,” he said.

Police maintain they were following the standard security drill.

“We did our duty. About 40,000 people would be there in the stadium to watch the matches. We have to ensure their safety,” police chief Bidari said.