‘Sedition’ charge for Pakistan cricket fans

INDIAN police said yesterday they have arrested 15 Muslim villagers and charged them with sedition – punishable by life in prison – for celebrating Pakistan’s victory over India in cricket’s Champions Trophy.

The villagers were arrested in the Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh state after police received a complaint that they set off firecrackers and shouted slogans following Pakistan’s dramatic win on Sunday.

“We received a complaint from a local Hindu man who accused them of celebrating after India lost the match,” Burhanpur police chief Raja Ram Parihar told AFP.

The accused have also been charged with criminal conspiracy, the officer said, adding the celebrations continued for hours in the sensitive locality. The village has a large Muslim population and a history of communal clashes between the two communities.

Passions run high over cricket in India – particularly when it comes to archrival Pakistan.

Cricket fans in both countries have been arrested in the past for supporting the rival teams or players.