Sense of security among youth prime responsibility: Mehbooba Mufti

Katra, Apr 19: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said providing a sense of security to youth in the state was one of her "prime responsibilities" and pitched for immediate steps to end the "vortex of violence permanently".

"We had witnessed several tragic incidents in the past, like in Baljarala in Rajouri, Chittisinghpora in Anantnag and more recently in Handwara where innocent people have been caught in the vortex of violence. We need to take immediate steps to bring an end to this permanently," she said.

Mehbooba was addressing a public rally after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super-Speciality Hospital and Sports Complex, here today.

Sharing the dais with the Prime Minister for the first time after becoming the Chief Minister, the PDP leader said the Centre and the state government will have to join hands to win the hearts and minds of the people, especially the youth.

"I have great hope and expectations from my party's alliance with BJP," she said.

The Chief Minister said "once we are able to build trust among the youth, they will flourish and contribute to the growth of the country."

Citing violence in Pakistan and Syria, Mehbooba said quick lessons need to be learnt from the trail of death and destruction left behind by ethnic and sectarian violence.

"The instability in these countries is in sharp contrast to the strengthening of democratic institutions in India. Despite being homogeneous societies, these countries have been unable to stem the rot, forcing people, like in case of Syria, to seek refuge out of their homelands," she said.

Praising India for its global rise as a "knowledge society", the Chief Minister sought "liberal financial assistance from the Centre in higher education segment to create enough employment opportunities to absorb our talented human resource."

PTI