Srinagar, Jan 28 (KNS): Zuhaib Yousf Mir, youth leader of the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP), has described Kashmir as a “depressed society” due to rising drug abuse and unemployment.
Mir expressed concern over the region turning into “Udta Kashmir,” a term highlighting the alarming increase in drug addiction.
Mir, who is also the general secretary of the party’s Youth Wing, linked the drug crisis to the prolonged conflict in Kashmir. He stated that 30 years of violence, unemployment, and frequent encounters with armed forces have caused psychological distress among people, leading to a surge in drug demand. “Many die from overdoses, and the root cause is the depression in society,” he said.
Unemployment is another major issue. Mir noted that many youths are skipping higher education, believing it to be useless due to scarce job opportunities.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“They think working odd jobs is better than studying, which is a backward mindset,” he said. Recruitment scams in recent years have further disillusioned young people, making them feel their education is wasted.
Mir also criticized the PDP’s past alliance with the BJP, saying it hurt the party’s image. He claimed the BJP broke promises to protect Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, which angered the public. “The alliance emotionally hurt people and alienated the youth, who now blame the PDP for the loss of Article 370,” he explained.
Additionally, Mir accused the BJP of exploiting regional divisions, pitting Jammu against Kashmir. “They’ve convinced Jammu that Kashmiris are against them, and vice versa,” he said, calling it a tactic to deepen divides. (KNS)