Youth in Kashmir cannot afford violence to continue: Jitendra Singh

Expressing concern over the repeated incidents of burning of schools in Jammu and Kashmir, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh on Monday asserted the people, especially the youth in the Valley, are fed up with the repeated incidents of violence and hatred.

Speaking to ANI, Singh insisted that the youth of the state, which wishes to be a beneficiary of the enormous beneficiary schemes led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cannot afford such incidents of violence to continue.

"All of us will have to understand and those who refuse to understand would sooner than later also be made to realize that this kind of mayhem cannot carry on for long. The common man in Kashmir, the common man in the streets of Srinagar, particularly common youth does not wish for this disturbance to continue," Singh said.

"It is more of a frustration where some of the disgruntled elements, who are not able to carry on with their political agenda, are involving politics in such issues. A country like India in 2016 has more than 65% of population below the age of 35-40 years and the youth which has come of age, cannot afford this to continue," he added.

So far, over 20 schools have been burnt down in the last two months with the unrest in the Valley having prolonged for more than three months now, majority of them government-run, suffering irreparable damage.

The attacks have soared after the state government decision to go ahead with the Class 10 and Class 12 Board exams, scheduled next month, despite calls by students, parents for delaying them due to the ongoing agitation.

Most educational institutes in the Valley have been non-functional since July 9, keeping in mind the unrest in Kashmir that entered 114th day today.