Police files FIR for ‘organizing cricket match’ in Pulwama

PULWAMA: Officials said on Monday that a charge has been filed against five persons for allegedly breaking COVID standard operating procedures by organising a cricket match in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

After a video of the cricket match appeared on social media which went viral, the case was filed at Rajpora Police Station on Sunday.

The organisers were booked under FIR number 78/2021 US 188, 269 at Police Station Rajpora Pulwama, officials added.

The players were booked for breaking COVID SOPs, according to officials, since the cricket match between Pulwama Gladiators and Rajpora 11 at Musarmarg cricket venue drew a huge audience.

“Four persons were arrested in this connection on Sunday. However, they have been released on bail,” sources said.

Meanwhile, Tehsildar Rajpora Rakib Ahmed said that activities at the playground field had been halted and that four people had been detained in connection with the incident.

“The maximum people who made it to the venue had skipped the Nakas (check-points) by using lanes and by-lanes and most of the people had come through an area called Kralchak, which is an unmanned area. Besides, this ground is amidst a forest which makes it accessible for the people even during the lockdown,” he further said. (KNT)