Yesterday, the 21-year-old football coach met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti at the Tourist Reception Centre ground where she explained her side of the story and requested the CM to ensure better infrastructure for sportspeople, especially girls.
Mehbooba was on a visit to the ground to meet specially abled children and footballers during a special camp.
The footballer, who runs the Kashmir FC Academy, coaches 70 youngsters -- 40 girls and 30 boys -- while she pursues her bachelor's degree from Women's College at Maulana Azad road.
Her photograph, taken during a clash between students and law enforcing agencies in the heart of the city, appeared in various local and national newspapers and went viral on social networking sites.
Also Read
Ashiq said she was more pained as the policeman was also a Kashmiri, and a Muslim. "We did not target any CRPF or Army personnel. It was our reaction to the police high-handedness," she said.
As soon as Mehbooba accompanied by sports minister Imran Ansari entered the TRC grounds to interact with the specially-abled children and women footballers, Ashiq, like many present there, welcomed and interacted with her.
"I am a sportsperson and have nothing to do with anything else. I am not against the government," Ashiq said. "I leave home in the morning and return late in the evening. My busy schedule does not allow me to concentrate on anything else."
However, the young coach said she would not hesitate in picking up a stone again if she felt her students were under any sort of a threat. "I will not tolerate any harm coming their way," she said.
"But I kept my head high as I have done no wrong and informed her about the circumstances leading to the incident. The chief minister heard me and encouraged me for defending my students," she said.
Ashiq said she requested Mehbooba to consider her demand for better facilities for women to shine in the field of sports and also asked for a permanent job.
The chief minister said her government has focused on sports development as a priority area and efforts were being made to upgrade infrastructure and develop other amenities to provide better sport facilities for the state's youth.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content