Dozens sustain minor injuries as football fans pelt each other with stones in Skardu
Skardu: Several dozens of people sustained minor injuries as football fans supporting two teams clashed in Skardu on Tuesday. The clash started when two local teams, Newranga and Shaheen club were playing in the final match of the SCO Cup Football Tournament 2017.
According to details shared by locals, FC Newranga was leading with 2-0, while the match moved towards the final ten minutes.
Both teams were still in the ground, when some spectators started throwing stones in the ground. This led to counter stone-pelting, which escalated into a full scale fight. Punches, kicks and flying stones injured several dozens of spectators, including some children, said a police official.
There are reports that at least 45 injured people were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, Skardu, while several other were taken to private clinics for treatment.
Police resorted to shelling to disperse the crowd and control the situation.
The two clubs have a history of rivalry and they have clashed in the past also.
Locals have severely criticized the rowdy fans for creating a law and order situation in the otherwise peaceful and restive town, known globally as a tourist attraction.
Police forces have started preparing lists of spectators involved in the fight, to ensure that such situation does not arise in the future.
