CEC upset over cricket debacle

NEW DELHI, September 20: The Chief Election Commissioner M.S. Gill has congratulated the Indian athletes on their fine performances at th...

NEW DELHI, September 20: The Chief Election Commissioner M.S. Gill has congratulated the Indian athletes on their fine performances at the Commonwealth Games. “The shining performances of Roopa Unnikrishnan, Jaspal Rana, Aparna Popat and several of our sportspersons in the Commonwealth Games have done us proud,” Gill, who was deputy chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent to the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games, said in a statement.

He, however, did not feel the same for the cricketers and expressed disappointment that “senior cricket players” didn’t play up to the mark and “were seen more anxious to get away from Kuala Lumpur and head for Toronto.

“The criticism in the press that they value lucre more than medals and flags has validity,” he said. “In fact, I feel sorry for the youngsters who, unware of other things, tried to give their best. I think, the senior players have already made the money and now its time that the juniors should be given a chance.

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“The commercial burden on cricket makes me concerned about the disease in the sub-continent…its’ a very messy game going on. But it should be remembered that cricket and business don’t go together,” he said.

Gill felt sorry for Manoj Prabhakar and said that it was unfair that the BCCI had not given him his dues. “Prabhakar was a brilliant player. And it is unfortunate that he is not being given his dues in terms of benefit match, for the simple reason that he came out strongly against the Board”.

Day after PM Modi’s visit to the town, Manipur’s Churachandpur sees violent protest

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Protests in Manipur's Churachandpur turned violent as two men were arrested for damaging decorations for PM Modi's visit. The crowd demanded their release and attempted to storm the police station. The men were eventually released after a bail hearing. The incident occurred after a clash between locals and police on Thursday, but the situation had calmed down before Saturday's visit.

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