'Flawed recruitment practices putting future of Kashmir youth at risk,' says Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar, Nov 14: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti Thursday said, she was concerned over the fate of children and youth of Kashmir, who she said were "shaped by decades of conflict, instability, and lost opportunities."

She said, the ongoing strife has overshadowed the dreams of many young people in Jammu and Kashmir and has deprived them of peace and promises that children deserve.

With their lives being marred by the conflict already, Mufti said, the crisis has compounded in the recent years as "recruitment policies and processes are full of irregularities, scams, and mismanagement, leaving lakhs of talented youth disillusioned."

She said, "these flawed recruitment processes and a skewed reservation policy not only fails to create fair opportunities but have also put the future of Kashmir's youth at risk."

In an official handout, Mufti said, if these issues are not addressed with urgency "they will have serious consequences as youth remain vulnerable to drug addiction, violence, and non-democratic influences."

“Jammu & Kashmir is one of India’s youngest states, and we have a critical responsibility to empower and uplift our young people. We must nurture these minds, fostering a sense of purpose and guiding them away from despair,” Mufti said.

“It is crucial that they feel a sense of belonging and belief in democratic institutions so that they can work within the system to build their dreams without fear or frustration," she added.