Kashmiri athlete held in US for 'molesting' minor

A Kashmiri athlete, who was given a US visa following huge public outcry, has been arrested over charges of molestation during an event in New York, the US media reported on Thursday.

Tanveer Hussain (24) was arrested in Saranac Lake village in New York state on Wednesday over charges of kissing and inappropriately touching a 12-year-old girl, and endangering the welfare of a child, Adirondak Daily Enterprise, a daily, reported.

Hussain, who is in Saranac Lake for an international snowshoe racers’ competition, has been accused of “inappropriate sexual behaviour with an underage girl, which allegedly took place on Monday in the village of Saranac Lake”, it said.

Mir Mudasir, president, Snowshoe Federation of India, confirmed the arrest. “I am disturbed by the turn of events. But I have full faith in the US law, and let the law take its own course,” Mudasir said.

J&K State Sports Council secretary Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra said they are ascertaining the facts. “Initial reports suggest that Hussain has been detained. We will provide him legal help only after confirming the details,’’ Para told DH.

In January, Hussain and Abid Khan, another Kashmiri youth, were denied visa due to US President Donald Trump’s new travel policy, which created a huge public outcry in the US. They were later given the travel permit after the issue was raised in the media, prompting the village mayor to take up the matter with some senators.

Parra said the two athletes had gone to the US on their own and the council was not involved in the event.