Employed youths joining militancy calls for 'serious introspection': Omar Abdullah

National Conference working president Omar Abdullah said today that educated and gainfully employed young men joining militancy in Jammu and Kashmir calls for a "serious introspection" by the Centre and the state.

Abdullah said the "alarming situation" in Kashmir has again highlighted the need for a sustained dialogue "with all stakeholders".

"When educated, gainfully employed young men choose the path of militancy - it should serve as a wake-up call for those who have turned a deaf ear towards repeated pleas for dialogue with all stakeholders to find a solution to this quagmire," he said at a public meeting in Drass town in Ladakh region.

The situation calls for "serious introspection" at the central and the state level.

"Turning a blind eye towards the alarming situation won't change reality. The growing levels of alienation and isolation are alarming signs and need to be acknowledged and addressed politically," Abdullah said.

His remarks came as parts of Kashmir remained tense. Five Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a commander and a fresh recruit - a university professor, were killed in an encounter between security forces in Shopian district today.

As the encounter progressed, clashes broke out between groups of stone-pelting youths and security forces near the encounter site, leading to injuries to several protesters.

Also, the Kashmir University suspended classes for two days from tomorrow as a precautionary measure. Mobile Internet services have already been snapped in south Kashmir districts and Ganderbal in central Kashmir.

Speaking at the public meeting, Abdullah also said that the PDP-BJP government has neglected the people of Drass and brought development projects started by the NC government to a standstill.

"The power projects initiated for this region have been shelved for reasons best known to the current government," he said.

"NC has always had a vision of equal and balanced development of all regions and we will continue to remain dedicated to people of all regions of the state, especially those areas that have been neglected and sidelined," he said.

The former chief minister said Jammu and Kashmir is "reeling under a failure of politics and imagination" and the ruling dispensation seems more interested to remain in power.

"This alliance has distanced the people of the state and divided them on regional and religious lines to seek political dividends," he said.