Jammu and Kashmir Ranji squad's hotel searched by police

A hotel where the Jammu and Kashmir Ranji squad was staying was searched by police here Wednesday midnight. State cricket association president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed anguish and dismay over the incident.

Sulaiman Beigh, a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Ranji team, told reporters in Jammu on Thursday that police raided the hotel at midnight.

However, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) chairman Aslam Goni denied that the search by police at Hotel Savoy had anything to do with the Ranji squad.

Police in Jammu later clarified that the search was part of a routine security exercise by them to secure the city ahead of the Republic Day parade Jan 26.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said in a statement that he was dismayed and anguished over the reported search.

"I have taken up the issue with all concerned," he said.

Abdullah, an ardent cricket lover, expressed solidarity with the players and said the incident pained him immensely.

"This should not have happened in the first instance," he said.

The JKCA president said that though he was informed that the search was part of a routine procedure, yet it could have been avoided.

He assured the cricketers that they should remain reassured that such a situation will not arise again.

"Please concentrate on the game and ignore the unpleasant incident as an act of misunderstanding," he told the players, and hoped they will bring laurels to the state.