Plane flies over Headingley with 'Justice for Kashmir' banner

Published July 6, 2019
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "India Stop Genocide & Free Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on Saturday. — AFP
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "India Stop Genocide & Free Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on Saturday. — AFP
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "Justice for Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley. — AFP
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "Justice for Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley. — AFP
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "India Stop Genocide & Free Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on Saturday. — AFP
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "India Stop Genocide & Free Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on Saturday. — AFP

Banners reading “#Justice for Kashmir” and “India stop genocide & free Kashmir” were flown over Headingley during India's World Cup clash with Sri Lanka on Saturday.

It was the second such incident at the event in England and Wales, after a banner was flown over the same ground in Leeds during last week's match between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

An insurgency in Indian-occupied Kashmir over the past three decades has left more than 70,000 dead, mainly civilians.

“We are incredibly disappointed this has happened again,” the International Cricket Council said in a statement. “We do not condone any sort of political messages at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

“Throughout the tournament we have worked with local police forces around the country to prevent this type of protest occurring. After the previous incident we were assured by West Yorkshire Police there would not be a repeat of this issue, so we are very dissatisfied it has happened again.”

Last week's group game between Pakistan and Afghanistan was marred by clashes between fans, prompting a police probe.

The ugly scenes were sparked by the flying of a banner over the ground reading: “Justice for Balochistan.”

Opinion

Editorial

Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...
Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...