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

Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...
Risky slope
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Risky slope

Inflation likely to see an upward trajectory once high base effect tapers off.
Digital ID bill
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Digital ID bill

Without privacy safeguards, a centralised digital ID system could be misused for surveillance.
Dangerous revisionism
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Dangerous revisionism

When hatemongers call for digging up every mosque to see what lies beneath, there is a darker agenda driving matters.