Alleged Player Assault Row Sparks NC MLA Protest in Pahalgam, SDM refutes allegations, says Independence Day rehearsal was priority

Pahalgam, Aug 11, KNT: National Conference senior legislator Altaf Ahmed Kaloo on Monday staged a protest and sit-in in Pahalgam against the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, accusing the official of abusing and assaulting local cricket players.

The protesting players claimed that while they were playing cricket in the stadium, the SDM arrived and directed them to vacate the ground, citing rehearsals for the upcoming Independence Day. They alleged that the official not only ‘abused’ them but also ‘assaulted’ them.

“One of the players was hit with a bat by the SDM, resulting in an injury to his leg,” said a participant of the protest, adding that the official allegedly threatened to slap the Public Safety Act on them if they did not leave the stadium immediately.

MLA Kaloo, who joined the protest, told reporters that even the local police were unaware of any scheduled rehearsal at the stadium. “An official has no right to abuse or assault locals. On one hand, they claim to promote sports to keep youth away from drugs, and on the other, some officers display arrogance and beat budding players,” he said.

However, the SDM Pahalgam refuted the allegations, stating that the rehearsal for Independence Day was scheduled at the stadium and that the minutes of the meeting had already been issued, with local players informed in advance. “Today there was a grand Tiranga rally in Pahalgam. Little girls were scheduled to rehearse at the stadium. When informed that a cricket match was underway in the stadium, I rushed there and politely asked the players to leave the ground. I didn’t want young girls to suffer injuries due to a cricket match. For me, the nation comes first. For me, rehearsal for Independence Day comes first as a cricket match can wait,” the SDM told the news agency Kashmir News Trust, adding that he did not misbehave with anyone. [KNT]