In Pulwama, cricket heals wounds of the past

In Pulwama, cricket heals wounds of the past Nightlife has been a dream for the turmoil-hit district.

Key points

• Pulwama has been on the edge, with youths clashing with security forces on the streets during street uprisings of 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2016 over a slew of problems.
• It's the 2nd Edition of the Royal Premier League Pulwama.
• Under lights cricket in once-volatile and conflict-ridden Pulwama district in south Kashmir has come as a catharsis for locals.
• How Jammu & Kashmir moved from the periphery to the centre: Ranji Trophy.

In Pulwama, cricket heals wounds of the past Nightlife has been a dream for the turmoil-hit district. Nevertheless, cricket previously two years has acted as a healing process for locals. Updated – August 21, 2026 07: 10 am IST – Srinagar.

Under lights cricket in once-volatile and conflict-ridden Pulwama district in south Kashmir has come as a catharsis for locals. For a change, hundreds of locals, along with family members and carrying food items, stayed back till late Wednesday (August 19, 2026) night to watch the first match of the Royal Premier League Pulwama.

"The scenes at the stadium in Pulwama were unprecedented. It has provided a platform to locals to laugh and smile. It's additionally an act to bring positivity. Kashmir's youths are witness to the misery previously. This is a small effort to offer them a chance to be happy and hopeful, " Pulwama legislator Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra informed The Hindu.

Irfan Sarkar, a local youth from Pulwama, in a rare galvanisation of backing to cricket with local sponsors, has provided digital boards, replays on live screens, social media streaming and commentary.

"It's the 2nd Edition of the Royal Premier League Pulwama. Ten teams will play all their games under floodlights. It allows locals to attend matches after sundown. Around 20, 000 attended the first match. They were cheering, drumming and celebrating every moment together, " remarked Mr. Sarkar.

Pulwama has been on the edge, with youths clashing with security forces on the streets during street uprisings of 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2016 over a slew of problems. Scores of civilians died and plenty of local youths took to militancy after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an anti-militancy operation in south Kashmir in 2016. Still, Pulwama is known from raids by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), State Investigation Agency and the J&K Police.

Nightlife has been a dream for the turmoil-hit district. Nevertheless, cricket previously two years has acted as a healing process for locals. "Kashmir is watching. Kashmir is playing. Kashmir is celebrating. This is more than cricket. It is hope over fear, unity over division, and life over darkness, " remarked Mr. Parra.

In practice, the cricket tournament has allowed the eateries to do business till midnight. "Chicken items are selling like hot cakes. It's rare to see customers after 10 p.m. In the district, " remarked Niyaz Ahmad, a local eatery owner.

Mr. Parra remarked sees night cricket additionally taking cricketing talent to a new level. "It allows sports lovers to exhibit their talent and perform under pressing conditions of crowds. It will support players to grow mentally tough, " stated Mr. Parra.

In short, in Pulwama, cricket heals wounds of the past is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.