Kane Williamson apologizes to Jofra Archer for alleged racist abuse
Wellington, Nov 26: A shocked New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has apologised to England pacer Jofra Archer for the alleged racist abuse he faced during a Test match in Mount Maunganui, saying the incident was "against everything that Kiwis are about".
Archer has alleged that one spectator hurled racial insults at him at the end of the first Test, which England lost by an innings and 65 runs on Monday. His assertion prompted New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to offer an apology and start an investigation.
"It's certainly against everything that we as Kiwis are about, and I certainly hope that nothing like that ever happens again," Williamson told 'Stuff.co.nz'.
"I can only apologise on behalf of Kiwis to Jofra, not only from our team and how we look to conduct ourselves, but what we expect of Kiwis in general," he added.
Williamson asserted that New Zealand is a respectful multi-cultural society in which racial abuse has no place.
"It's a horrific thing. In a country, and a setting where it is very much multi-cultural, it's something we need to put to bed quickly and hope nothing like that ever happens again. It certainly won't if there's any influence we can have on it," he said.
"Was I shocked? Absolutely, 100 percent. I will try see him over the next few days if I can, definitely," he added.
The NZC earlier said it has zero tolerance towards such an incident.
"NZC has zero tolerance towards abusive or offensive language at any of its venues and will refer any developments in the case to police," it said.
A bit disturbing hearing racial insults today whilst battling to help save my team , the crowd was been amazing this week except for that one guy , @TheBarmyArmy was good as usual also
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) November 25, 2019
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Crocodiles found in MP house during IT searches; reptiles rescued by forest dept
Bhopal, Jan 11: Crocodiles were rescued on Friday from a house in Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh by forest department officials who were tipped off about the presence of the reptiles by Income Tax personnel raiding the place.
Confirming the development, MP Head of Forest Force Aseem Shrivastava told PTI that a case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act in this regard.
The action was taken after forest department personnel were notified about the presence of crocodiles by IT sleuths, he added.
"The health of the crocodiles is being examined. We will intimate the court about them and proceed accordingly," Shrivastava added.
Shrivastava, however, did not say how many crocodiles were rescued or who was the owner of the house.
While a top IT official said searches were carried out at places connected to Rajesh Kesarwani, a bidi manufacturer, building construction contractor and former BJP corporator in Sagar, he refused to speak anything about crocodiles.
Sources put the number of reptiles rescued at four.
