J&K youths should be put at forefront: minister

Srinagar, Feb 6 (PTI) The youth in Jammu and Kashmirshould be put at the forefront in every sector to lead thestate towards prosperity and enable it to emerge as a"dignified and honurable" region, a minister has said.

"We have to bring our youth at forefront in every sectorand lead the state towards prosperity utilising theirpotential in positive manner," Minister for Agriculture GhulamHassan Mir said, addressing a gathering yesterday in Kunzar inBaramulla district.

In an apparent reference to separatist groups, Miralleged that "leaders and political class" have shown Kashmiriyouth the way to "graveyards".

"I sincerely urge the political leadership across theboard to show the path of prosperity, education, knowledge andhonourable life to youth... Let youth set the criteria fortheir leadership," Mir, who is the president of DemocraticParty Nationalist said.

Commenting on the state government''s policy of makingagriculture as thrust area, Mir said it is the backbone ofour state''s economy and involves 70 per cent population.

"We want to infuse competition among the farmers as it isthe only sector which has maximum employment generationpotential," he said.