Troops still ‘occupy’ Bakshi Stadium

Players, Officials Allege Harassment, PRO CRPF Denies

Srinagar, June 14: Despite repeated assurances by the successive regimes, major portion of Bakshi Stadium, here, is still ‘occupied’ by the para-military CRPF troops.

Named after former prime minister of J&K, Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad, the stadium was once hub of sports activities. But since the militancy erupted in Valley in early 90’s troops occupied major portion of it. It has become a transit camp for troops now.
From entrance gate to interiors of the stadium building, major chunk of the stadium is occupied by the troops.
Southern and Northern pavilions of the stadium are under troops. They are also occupying the changing rooms and other office rooms of J&K State Sports Council. The troops also use one side of the stadium as parking space for their vehicles, which number from 50-60 each day. The security scenario inside stadium is so intense that no one can enter or leave without the permission of troops.
At entrance gate bunkers have been erected and concertina wire has been placed which makes entry of players and officials difficult. After crossing the main gate, one can see security vehicles parked in and around.
“This Stadium is more of security camp. Players find it hard to enter inside the stadium despite having valid identity cards. It is only after they call manager stadium they are allowed to enter. The troops don’t also allow them to park their vehicles inside,” said, a Sport Council coach, on the condition of anonymity.
“It is not only players, but we also many a times have to face the wrath of troops. Despite knowing us they don’t allow us to enter when they have got some high-ranking officer inside. If they can do it with us what can players expect?” he asked.
The troops have erected urinals on the side of basketball court and cricket practice wickets, which makes practice of players difficult.
“There is such a foul smell that one can’t stand, not to think of practicing for hours. We don’t understand why they have erected urinals despite having bathrooms under their occupation,” said a basketball player, Harpal Singh.
“In contrast to Jammu players and coaches have round the clock access without any difficulty. I was in Jammu and used to practice till late hours. But here after the Council office closes at 4 pm, no one is allowed to practice,” he added.
Heavy presence of troops bars parents to send their children for the coaching in the stadium. They fear that, if any untoward incidence happens, their children would be in trouble. Another thing that is worrying parents is regarding girls. Due to presence of forces they are hesitant to send them for coaching.
“How can a parent send his ward to practice at a place which is fully occupied by the troops who roam half naked inside the stadium. Once a parent enters stadium with his ward inside for admission, firstly he faces difficulty at entrance due to security. Some how when he manages to enter he can easily see security personals roaming and sleeping half naked in the stadium. That makes the decision to send wards for regular practice very difficult,” said a coach of the Council.
The other difficulty faced by the female staff and students is the non-existence of female security personals at the entrance gate.
“There is no female security at entrance gate for security check. The male security personals deliberately harass us in the name of security. Many a times, we go back from the gate,” said Shazia, an athlete.
The players also say that the dogs of CRPF bark at every one.
“The dogs have made our life difficult. They bark and run after us whenever we enter or leave the stadium,” said, Amir, a footballer.
Manager Bakshi Stadium, Abdul Qayoom, said, “We have got nothing to do with it. Whether security remains in stadium or not it is the decision of Government and home ministry.”
Public Relation Officer, CRPF, Prabakhar Tripathi denied the allegations.
“No player or official is ever harassed by the troops. Our job is to only check the identity of the players and officials,” he said.
“There are only sniffer dogs are always under proper check by the troops and they can’t create any problems as such,” he added.

Appeared in Greater Kashmir on June 15 http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=15_6_2009&ItemID=32&cat=4