Take politics as full-time career:Karra to gun-wielding youth

Srinagar, Jan 26 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister and senior PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra today asked the gun-wielding youth to shun violence and take politics as a full-time career.

Addressing a Republic Day function at Baramulla, he urged the local gun-wielding boys to shun the path of violence and join the reconciliation process for the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

The people of the state have suffered immensely due to 17 years of turmoil and could not afford more bloodshed, Mr Karra added.

''I urge the local militants to ponder over what has gun given to us except death, destruction and miseries,'' he said.

The Finance Minister said the violence has burdened the state with a huge population of orphans, widows and destitute, giving rise to various social issues.

''Instead of adding to their numbers by continuing the violence, the gun-wielding boys should now channelise their energies toward the rehabilitation of the sufferers of violence,'' he added.

Mr Karra asked them to come forward and represent the state's youth on the democratic platform. ''As Jammu and Kashmir is at the cross-roads of a historic opportunity for peace and prosperity, it is the appropriate time for youth to take the leap and drive the state's politics in a new and positive direction,'' he added.

The senior PDP leader said the youth should greatly contribute toward the political and economic development of the state in the emerging scenario.

The youth must take politics as a full-time career and actively participate in the democratic processes to have an assertive say in the matters of governance, he added.

''We have to struggle for our rights in a democratic way and that objective can be achieved only through the participation of the people, especially the youth, in the democratic processes.'' MORE UNI