Painful to see educated youth join militant ranks, Parents must urge them to return: PDP minister

Srinagar: Feeling contented over the cabinet birth allotted to him, senior Peoples Democratic Party leader and minister for CAPD Muhammad Ashraf Mir Friday said, young boys joining militant ranks was worrisome and parents must urge their gun wielding sons to return back.

He also said that Kashmir issue can be resolved through dialogue and that PDP was committed to create an atmosphere of reconciliation for a sustained dialogue with all stakeholders on board.

Talking to KNS Mir said: “It was painful to see educated lot joining militant ranks in Kashmir. I urge their parents to appeal their sons to return. We don’t want to lose our young boys every day,” he said.

However he maintained that while educated youth joining militancy ranks was a concern for all, most of the youth eventually realize the futility of violence and returned home to live normal lives with dignity.

The PDP leader further said that his party is committed to its mission for establishing a long-lasting peace, resolution and holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir. “There will be no betrayals with the people. We are duty bound to address the aspirations of every section of the society no matter what difficulties we may face,”

He claimed that his party is committed to empower the youth also and provide them a better space to lead the nation with innovative and energetic ideas.

“Peace is imperative for growth and development of the State so our priority was and is to establish lasting and sustainable peace by taking on board all the stake holders”, he said and added that youth always occupied prime place in PDP’s agenda as stake-holders in social upliftment and political and economic empowered.

He said that he will keep up the expectations of youth. “Youth has a role to play and party considers the youth as its foundation stone. I have been given the responsibility by the Party to work for the public good in general and youth in particular,” he maintained.

Mir further told KNS that the State Government’s resolve to take the initiative of dialogue through the institution of Centre’s Special Representatives to its logical conclusion is an appreciable decision.

He added that the process of dialogue by Centre’s Special Representative is moving in right direction and there is a visible progress in gaining the required trust needed for such initiatives. “People from all walks of life have established communication with the interlocutor and feel satisfied on the grievance redressal mechanism. It is a clear indication that all stake holders will make peace a common cause and allows the initiative to culminate into real hope and promise,” he maintained.

Commenting on the implementation of Srinagar Master Plan, the minister informed KNS that it is ready and would be formally implemented soon.

“It was put on public domain for suggestions. I hope in next one or two months it will be formally put into practice,” he said.

It may be recalled that Ashraf Mir during the last Budget session, had left the government red-faced after he had raised question over delay in finalization of master plans for the twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu.

Mir had also accused the government of making “mockery of the system” over the delay.

The draft Master Plan has envisioned increase in Srinagar local area from the existing 416 Sq Km to 766 Sq Km - 82 percent increase from the existing Master Plan limits.