‘League not recognised’: JKCA after police launch probe. NEW DELHI: The Jammu and Kashmir police have launched an investigation after a Palestinian flag was spotted during a local cricket match in Jammu, leading to the summoning of a player and the organizer of a privately run tournament for questioning.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!The incident took place on Wednesday during a match between JK11 Kings and Jammu Trailblazers in the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Champions League. Television footage showed the batting cricketer wearing a helmet with the Palestinian flag on the front, an image that quickly spread on social media and attracted the attention of authorities.
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“A cricketer and tournament organizer has been called for questioning by the J&K Police regarding the use of a Palestinian flag on his helmet during a cricket match at a private tournament in Jammu,” the police said in an official statement, according to India Today. The cricketer has been identified as Furqan Bhat while the tournament organizer is Zahid Bhat.Police said they were investigating the circumstances under which the flag was flown and whether any permits were obtained. Investigators also review violations of tournament rules and assess the intent of flying the flag during a sporting event. “Police are verifying the facts and investigating the matter,” a senior official said, adding that no action had been taken yet and further steps would depend on the outcome of due diligence.
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The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) distanced itself from the event and confirmed that the tournament is not recognized by the state body or any national authority. “JKCA does not recognize the league,” Brig Anil Gupta (Retd), JKCA administration member, told IANS, adding that the player in question is not registered with the association or its affiliates. BCCI rules prohibit players from participating in unrecognized leagues.The police reportedly rushed to the spot after the picture went viral and also started investigating the unsanctioned tournament itself. It is the second privately organized league from Jammu and Kashmir to come under scrutiny in recent months, following the debacle of the Indian Heaven Premier League in Srinagar, where the organizers reportedly fled mid-way, leaving players and officials in the lurch.
