Srinagar , March31: Describing youth as key agents for development and peace, CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami said that youth should remain on the forefront in the struggle against the anti-people policies of the government while addressing District Conference of JK Democratic Youth Federation(JKDYF) in Kulgam today. Because of continued lockdowns and shutdowns soon after 5th August 2019, the economy of the region has been put in deep crisis. Business, tourism, handicrafts, agriculture, horticulture have been adversely affected. Despite tall claims, no substantial relief has been provided to the affected people. Claims regarding development remain confined to off repeated announcements by the administration. Corruption is rampant at every level. The graph of unemployment in the region has shot up considerably. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme in its recent report pegged the unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir at 46. 3 percent, which is the second highest in the country. The grueling wait for jobs has begun gnawing at the educated unemployed youth. The sacking of government employees, on the other hand, in an arbitrary fashion reflects the dictatorial tendencies of this administration. It is not just the future of the youth that is at stake today, but the future of the region as well. The youth whose aspirations and dreams are not realized are increasingly getting disillusioned and their anger, if not properly channelised will prove detrimental to the future of the region. The arbitrary arrests under draconian laws like UAPA, PSA etc continue unabated and those arrested are being detained outside the valley. Youths are particularly feeling harassed. The restrictions on peaceful political and trade union activities under different pretexts continue. While demanding that the government must promulgate such policies that will better the lives of the youth and also actively involve them in the entire process of policy formulation, he called upon the administration to chalk out a comprehensive policy to address the menacing problem of unemployment and other burning issues confronting the youth. Others who spoke on the occasion include Mohmad Afzal Parry,State Committee member CPI(M) and DDC Chairperson Kulgam, Mohamad Abass Rather District Secretary CPI(M) Kulgam and Member DDC, Irfan Gull Convener JKDYF, Javid
