Coach suspended for getting massage from trainee cricketer in UP; video goes viral
Deoria (UP) (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday suspended a coach who was seen getting a body massage by a young cricketer at Ravindra Kishore Shahi Sports Stadium here in a viral video.
Taking cognizance of the footage, Sports Director R P Singh suspended Assistant Coach Abdul Ahad, an official release said here.
District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh had ordered a probe by a three-member team after the video surfaced on social media on Wednesday and asked for a report within three working days.
The release also said the assistant coach will be attached to the Regional Sports Office, Lucknow during the suspension period.
Meanwhile, the sports director has asked his deputy R N Singh to probe the incident.
SDM Sadar, Saurabh Singh, who is one of the members of the probe team, said the trainee cricketer has alleged that the coach did not allow him to talk to his family whenever phone calls were made.
The trainee had filed many complaints which are being probed by the inquiry committee, the SDM said.
Terming the matter "serious" which needed to be investigated, the DM had said,
"It is highly condemnable to make children/sportspersons do such a thing. Appropriate action will be taken after getting the inquiry report."
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Nearly 4,000 pilgrims set sail for Katchatheevu islet to participate in annual two-day festival
Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Nearly 4,000 Indian pilgrims on Friday set sail for the uninhabited Katchatheevu islet to participate in the annual two-day festival, which will officially commence at 4 pm at the St Antony’s Church, officials said.
The festival marks a significant moment of shared cultural and religious heritage between India and Sri Lanka.
The first batch of devotees was flagged off from the Rameswaram fishing harbour at approximately 6 am by Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon.
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According to official records, a total of 3,996 registered pilgrims -- comprising 3,033 men, 726 women, and 150 children -- are crossing the Palk Strait in a fleet of 118 boats, which includes 92 mechanised trawlers and 26 country boats.
The festival will officially commence with a traditional flag-hoisting ceremony. This will be followed by the 'Way of the Cross' procession and a late-night chariot festival, where the statue of the patron saint will be carried around the shrine by Sri Lankan Navy personnel, sources said.
Strict security measures are in place, with the Indian Coast Guard and Customs department conducting a three-tier verification process at the Rameswaram jetty. All pilgrims were required to produce their Aadhaar cards and a mandatory Police No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Authorities have strictly prohibited the carriage of plastic items, alcohol, and excessive jewellery.
According to official sources, all vessels are equipped with adequate life jackets and are being escorted by Coast Guard hovercrafts up to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
The festivities will reach their peak on Saturday morning with a Special High Mass conducted by the Bishops of Jaffna and Colombo in both Tamil and Sinhala. The event will conclude with the lowering of the flag, after which the Indian pilgrims will begin their return journey.
To facilitate the event, the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department has enforced a total fishing ban in the region until March 1, leaving over 1,000 local boats moored at the docks to ensure clear passage for the pilgrim fleet.
The islet was ceded to Sri Lanka by India by ways of two agreements in 1970s.
