Langate incident must shake our conscience: Mufti

Srinagar, July 23 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said with the improvement in security scenario focused attention must now be laid on issues concerning public welfare, including infrastructure development, basic amenities, moral, social security and employment generation.

Addressing party workers from Capital City, he said the coalition government has during the past five years made strenuous efforts to address the issues concerning welfare and betterment of the people.

''Focused attention was laid on rebuilding of infrastructure and expansion of economy to put the state on the path of progress and create job opportunities for the educated unemployed youth.'' The PDP leader said while education and health were priority sectors, equal thrust was laid on development of road communication, drinking water, power and social sectors.

Expressing concern over the mounting challenge of unemployment and social problems engulfing the people, he said the more than decade long disturbed situation has played a role in aggravating the economic and social troubles of the state.

Mr Sayeed said the government would have to confront the challenge with imaginative policies and programmes that open up fresh opportunities for the state's youth.

''The issues of unemployment and social instability are being pondered over seriously in the society and the government,'' he said, adding ways and means would be explored to take on the challenge to overcome the problem to some extent.

The former Union Home Minister said besides its social and economic implications, the most tragic outcome of the turmoil was the growing crime and degradation of moral values in our society.

''Once among the most peaceful places on Earth, the people of Kashmir have to now see even the beastly blood-chilling acts such as the one at Langate where an innocent girl was subjected to the worst kind of barbarism by some swine. The society must now stand up before it is too late,'' he added.

UNI