Politicians exploited youth in J&K in last 20 years: Omar Abdullah

Accusing politicians in Jammu and Kashmir of exploiting the youth during the last 20 years of unrest in the state, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said time has come for youngsters to repulse all such attempts.

"Jammu and Kashmir, during the period of 20 years of unrest, witnessed exploitation of young generation by both pro-election and anti-election politicians," Omar said at the 'Kashmir Youth Festival' here.

He said time has come when youth should repulse every attempt aimed at their exploitation.

Noting that the youth of the state nurture same hopes and aspirations as the youth of other states, he said that during the period of disturbances in J&K, they witnessed only darkness and grew under the shadow of gun.

"We have to provide them platform and opportunity to show their mettle and lead the state towards new highs of progress and prosperity," the Chief Minister said.

"My government wants to rekindle hope in them, provide better environment to grow and create opportunities to exhibit their capabilities," he said.

Omar said he never made a false promise to the youth that all would get government jobs as it was not possible to do it and to make such a promise was just to deceive them.

He, however, asserted that his government would generate as many government jobs for youth as it could but the solution to unemployment problem was not in creation of government jobs.

"We are opening new job orbit for youth in the private sector and have focused on skills development and employ ability so that they can be smoothly absorbed in open job market," he said.

Besides, all possible help is being given to budding entrepreneurs to launch their ventures in the state, he added.