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Football unites strife-torn Kashmir
KT NEWS SERVICE . Dated: 7/16/2012 12:28:29 AM
SRINAGAR, July 15(Agencies):Nothing else has got people from all ideologies in Kashmir together like the 90 minutes of 'Beautiful Game' – at least not in the last 22 years.
Hosts Jammu and Kashmir XI emerged victorious over Kolkata-based Mohammadan Sporting in the penalty shootout of the friendly match.
The mainstream camp was represented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Assembly Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone and Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather while, although senior separatist leaders were not present at Bakshi Stadium, several people considered close to them were among the 'organisers'.
The Bakshi Stadium, with a capacity to seat 18,000, was overflowing with every inch on the terrace taken by keen football fans.
Perhaps the organisers were not expecting people to turn up for the game. The entry was free. Complimentary passes were distributed two days ahead of the match. More than 2,000 CRPF and police personnel – some in uniform and some in civvies – had made it to the stands much before the scheduled start of play.
As the kick off time drew closer, the scenes playing out around Bakshi Stadium – the venue for the friendly – could have been likened to football crazy Kolkata.
Ten minutes to kick-off, the stadium is packed and yet a few thousand more are trying to get in. Police had to resort to cane charge as some fans tried to break through the security barricade. One person was injured in police action.