Scholar-turned militant Manan Wani, who was killed recently, was an emerging militant and he had not emerged fully yet, said General Officer Commanding of Army’s 15 corps, Lt Gen AK Bhatt.
He said “unlike the youths in southern Kashmir”, the youths of northern Kashmir have “chosen the path of peace which I will try to maintain”.
Bhatt was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a National Skill Development Corporation-accredited centre in Tanghdar area of Kupwara district.
Bhatt said that as it has started snowing in the mountains, the season for “infiltration” by militants from across the border was also peaking.
“Many militants are ready, trying their best to infiltrate this side of Line of Control but my troops are active round the clock to foil their attempts,” said Bhatt.
Asked about the youth taking to arms, he said “India is their own country and they should work for development of India as well as that of Kashmir and leave the path of violence”.
He said the 15 Corps will be engaging the youth to bring them into the “mainstream”.
We trained them these centers so they could get jobs not only in Kashmir but across India, Bhatt added.
The skill development centre at Tanghdar will train 120 youth every three months as customer care executives and front office associates.
Internships and placements for the trained youth have also been planned in coordination with various corporate firms.
One such centre is already functioning in Drugmulla area of the district.