The Kashmir Pulse

KULGAM — A 14-year-old teenager has emerged as the youngest player to be signed by the Bangalore Strikers in the inaugural Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) as the under-19 cricketer secured Rs 3.20 lakhs in the auction.

The inaugural season of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) is set to kick off from March 6-15, 2024.

With a T10 format and matches played using tennis balls, the league aims to unearth emerging cricketing talent through its six competing teams.

Sharik Yasir, a 14-year-old 9th-grade student from Gopalpora village in Kulgam, is a wicketkeeper-batsman. During auction, he secured Rs 3.20 lakhs from the 'Bangalore Strikers,' owned by Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan.

While speaking to the news agency KNO, he said, "My father submitted my form for the ISPL. After that, I went for trials at different places where I performed well, earning myself a green ticket."

"In the auction, I was picked up by the Bangalore Strikers team for Rs 3.20 lakh, making me the youngest ever in the league," he said.

He said that he plays as a batsman-cum-wicketkeeper, and his batting prowess stood out more than his wicketkeeping during the trials. "I will strive to perform my best during matches," he added.

"Both studies and sports are crucial in today's era," he said and added that due to the lack of a playground in his village, he played more in lanes than on the ground. He urged the government to develop a playground in his village to nurture more talent from the area.

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KULGAM — Chief Education Officer Kulgam has sought strict action against the former Rajya Sabha member Nazir Ahmad Laway after the latter allegedly manhandled him in front of his staff and other people at district hospital Kulgam.

The incident occurred after the killing of a lady teacher from Samba at Gopalpora village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

Eyewitnesses told news agency Kashmir News Trust that when the body of the slain teacher was brought to District Hospital Kulgam, besides, police and civil officials, former Rajya Sabha member Nazir Ahmed Laway also reached the hospital.

Witnesses added that Nazir Ahmed Laway ‘without any reason and justification’ manhandled CEO Kulgam, blaming him for the killing of the lady teacher. They said some police officials intervened and whisked away Laway in their vehicle.

“It was an embarrassing moment for me. I was manhandled and thrashed in front of everyone including the teachers who had arrived at the hospital to express solidarity with the family. I too went to the hospital to express my condolences,” Chief Education Officer Muhammad Ashraf Rather told KNT, adding that he has written to DC Kulgam to seek action against the former Rajya Sabha member.

Rather added that he will also file a police complaint against Nazir Laway. “I was not expecting this kind of hooliganism from a responsible person. It was shocking,” he said.

The lady teacher Rajni Bhalla from Samba district was shot dead by militants in Gopalpora village of Kulgam in broad daylight. The slain teacher was posted at Government High School Gopalpora.

General Secretary Teachers Forum J&K, Khalid Mehraj while condemning the ‘assault’ said that it is sheer hooliganism to attack an officer who hails from the Chenab Valley. He said Teachers Forum will call a meeting to decide on the future course of action.

When contacted, Nazir Laway told KNT that the lady teacher, who is from a downtrodden family, was killed because of the ‘callous’ attitude of the Chief Education Officer.

“There are clear cut directions from the LG Manoj Sinha that employees from minority communities should be posted in safe zones. Why was she not transferred from Gopalpora which is a ‘danger zone’. Even I am not allowed to visit Gopalpora sometimes,” Nazir Laway said, adding that the blood of the lady teacher is on the hands of the Chief Education Officer.

Laway further said that after the killing of the poor teacher, a clerk showed him a transfer order, claiming that this teacher had already been transferred. “The question is what was this lady teacher doing at Gopalpora school when she, as per their claim, had already been transferred. They are all lying and are responsible for the killing of this teacher,” he said and added that he will speak to the LG about this episode.

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SRINAGAR — A migrant lady was shot at and injured by unknown gunmen, suspected to be militants, in Gopalpora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday.

A top police officer told GNS that a migrant woman was fired upon by militants in Gopalpora.

She was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Her status of condition and identification wasn't available at the time this story was being filed.

Soon after the attack, the whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers.

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