Champions Trophy-2017
While India and Pakistan clashed for their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy being played in England, administration and police in Jammu division were on high alert to avoid any untoward incident as emotions run high during this clash between the arch-rivals.
Extra security measures were taken to ensure that the game will be watched in sporting spirit only.“We have taken extra measures keeping in view sensitivity of cricket match to ensure peace. It is not that something will happen but, it was just an anticipation that some miscreants may take advantage and disrupt peace, so the precautions,” a top official in Jammu told Kashmir Post.
He said that the administration had a meeting with the police in Jammu and both the departments worked in close coordination to ensure there were no disruptions. “We have kept eye on the situation. We will not allow anyone to disrupt peaceful atmosphere,” the official added.
Meanwhile, an order has been issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Arun Manhas, assigning duty to seven magistrates (tehsildars) of Jammu, Tehsildar Jammu West, Bahu Jammu, RS Pura, Tehsildar Akhnoor, and Nagrota Tehsildar to ensure peace in their respective areas.
The order reads, the Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan is being played at Edgbaston, Birmingham London. In order to maintain law and problem and to avoid any untoward incident seven magistrates have been deployed for one day.
Meanwhile, police and intelligence agencies have also been kept on alert to ensure peace in the province.
It was known through reliable sources that administration in Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar and Doda was keeping a close watch on the situation and police was also roped in for the job.
“Everything is normal in Rajouri. But today’s heavy deployment of police in every nook and corner because of the cricket match between two neighbours is question mark on the words and assurance of civil society that always everything is ok (sic),” writes Emroz Suri, a local resident from Rajouri on social website Facebook.
“Why didn’t the civil society come out today to ask administration that they need not to deploy police for this match? We all are one and nothing will happen in case any team wins or loses,” he wrote.
