SRINAGAR: In a rare sight in the last three decades of militancy, around 2,000 Kashmiris, defying a shutdown call in strife-torn Bandipora district, gathered at the floodlit Sher-e-Kashmir stadium, 66km from Srinagar, for a football match. They said they had previously seen floodlit stadiums only on TV screens.The spectators even live-streamed the match, encouraging other Kashmiri youths to join them at the stadium. It was peaceful and wonderful to have a night game in the turbulent district," Sofi said, adding that it took a lot of effort and time to convince authorities to hold the tournament at night. People prefer to reach home earlier to avoid trouble, particularly in rural areas like Bandipora. But it was after long that people thronged the stadium," said Ghulam Qadir, 70.

Source: Times of India August 25, 2017 20:37 UTC