President of National Conference party, Omar Abdullah, during a membership drive in South Kashmir where more than 30 boys have joined militancy, pointed out that the tie up between the PDP and the BJP could be a reason why youth are again joining militants. “There are reports that young and educated youth are joining militancy and this is a dangerous trend. And the responsibility on the large is on the present government, they should not hide things,’’ he said.
As per figures given by the police, 33 youths joined militant groups in the Valley in the last six months. Omar recalled that when his father Farooq Abdullah and then Congress president Rajiv Gandhi joined hands, the youth took up the arms against the state. “Again we are passing through the same situation. This time also pact has taken place between two parties with different ideologies.”
Abdullah said the boys who raise flags can’t show their anger by any other method. “By putting these flags up they want to tell people that none of us are bothered about them.’’ He said that they have to look at the things that are agitatng the youth. “You have to start taking measures that are essential to get these boys back into the national mainstream,’’ he said, adding that so many things can be done for these boys.
In response to Abdullah's statements, J&K state government spokesperson and Education Minister, Naem Akthar said the number of youth joining militancy was more last year. “We have no competition with Omar Abdullah. He still holds the record. It is because of the alienation in youth created during last six years during Omar’s tenure that left state bankrupt. During his tenure he would say that the resentment is against the government of India not against him.’’
