Srinagar, Oct 19: A day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah accused mainstream and separatist leaders of exploiting youth, chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Muhammad Yasin Malik Wednesday shot back saying, “Only pro-Indian politicians exploit youth.”
 “We have ruined several generations and our present generation too is getting affected as Kashmir issue has remained unresolved. In every phase of the history, youth have always expressed their desire to seek freedom,” Malik said in a statement.  
 “Sentiment for freedom drove then young man Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah in 1930s and he fought for the cause for quite some time,” he said.
 Malik said that accusing the pro-freedom leaders of exploiting the youth was incorrect.
 “The fact of the matter is that our youth have been exploited by pro-India politicians and leaders. Ever since India entered into Kashmir in 1947, so-called mainstream politicians, including National Conference, Congress, PDP and other parties, in order to justify and prolong control of India, subjected people to oppression,” he said, adding, “Our youth inherit Kashmir struggle as soon as they open their eyes.”
 For employment, he said, the youth have to get verification and bear humiliation at several stages. “They are forced to vote for them (mainstream politicians), walk with them and do other such works. If this is not exploitation, then what is it?”
 Malik said that the reality was that Jammu and Kashmir is a “disputed territory” and youth were committed to decide their future. “Separatists represent the sentiments and as such it is impossible for them to exploit the youth. Exploitation is done by those parties who are after power”.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST