NEW DELHI: Even as India’s cricket captain Virat Kohli won hearts for his fulsome praise for Pakistan’s cricket team, 15 people were arrested in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly shouting pro-Pakistan slogans after its cricket team won the ICC Champions Trophy final by defeating India, media reports said on Tuesday.

The Press Trust of India (PTI) did not identify the suspects but said they had been booked for sedition.

Tension gripped Mohad town in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state on Sunday night after some people shouted slogans in favour of Pakistan and celebrated its cricket team’s win by setting off firecrackers at public places, reports said.

Security was stepped up immediately in the town to avoid any law and order problem, the PTI said but gave no details. Pakistani fans of Indian cricketers are similarly dealt with.

A Pakistani fan of Kohli last year faced imprisonment of up to 10 years after being arrested for hoisting the Indian tri-colour atop his home in Punjab, which he had done to show his love for the cricketer.

The police in Madhya Pradesh later registered a case and arrested 15 people on Monday, Shahpur police station in-charge Sanjay Pathak said.

“There was a complaint that these accused celebrated Pakistan’s victory by bursting crackers and raising pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans,” Mr Pathak said.

The police booked the arrested persons, aged between 19 and 35, under sections 124-A (sedition) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, he said.

The suspects were produced in a local court which rejected their bail applications and sent them to jail. They were later taken to Khandwa district jail.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2017