Jammu and Kashmir Police books 10 youngsters who were playing cricket match in 'memory' of slain militant

Under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the Jammu and Kashmir Police booked as many as 10 youngsters on Thursday in Shopian district. The youngsters were reportedly playing a cricket tournament which was held in the memory of a slain militant commander.

The match was reportedly organized by the brother of Syed Ruban, a militant commander killed in an encounter in 2019. Nine cricketers along with the organizer were booked by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. A senior officer highlighted that glamorising militants is misconduct under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is an Indian law aimed at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India. Its main objective was to make powers available for dealing with activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of the nation. Under the act, an individual shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years. He’ll also be liable to fine.

The event was held with an intention to glorify insurgency: Senior officer

“The individual (Tajamul) had distributed some jerseys and organised the event in the memory of his brother killed in 2019. As a result of this, a massive number of people had gathered to watch the cricket tournament. As of now, 10 individuals have been booked under the UAPA,” said a senior officer, who did not wish to be named. “Clearly the event was held with an intention to glorify insurgency here,” the officer added.

According to sources, the organizers had even distributed jerseys which had the name of the slain militant printed on them. Hence, the 10 individuals have been booked under the UAPA. Syed Ruban’s brother, who had organized the match, was earlier quoted by local news services while saying that cricket was Ruban’s favourite game.

“I distributed these cricket uniforms as this was my brother’s favourite game. He was a talented cricketer, admired by his friends for his love for the game and talent he had got,” Syed Ruban’s brother had said.

Ruban, a resident of Nazneenpora Shopian, had joined militancy in 2018. He was the cousin of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Syed Naveed Babu, who was arrested along with former deputy superintendent of police Davinder Singh in January 2020.

He had also said that they distributed these cricket uniforms in villages like Nazeenpora, Pinjoora, Shopian, Kakapora Pulwama and other hamlets of south Kashmir. The motive behind doing so was to promote the sporting activities in such areas.