Kashmir in very bad shape, young generation on path of destruction: Farooq Abdullah

Reacting to recent grenade attacks on towers and unfurling of ISIS flags in Srinagar, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Friday said that the Valley is in a very bad shape and youth is adopting the path of destruction.

Speaking to ANI, Abdullah said, “The attacks are a result of anger in the youth who feel nothing is being done for them. They can’t show their anger by any other method except putting these (ISIS) flags up. They want to wake up people.”

“Government has to pay heed to their issues. It has to take measures that are essential to get these boys back into the national mainstream,” he added.

He also criticised Mufti government for failing to understand the gravity of the situation.

“Mufti sahab’s government is not thinking how to save the situation. Youth wants to take the gun,” he said.

Further, talking about stained relationship between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, Abdullah said that friendship between the two nations is essential for the survival of Valley.

“What must be done is friendship between two countries be established. Their ties are essential for the survival of Kashmir which includes Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Ex-PM Atal Bihar Vajpayee had once said ‘Dost badle ja sakte hain, padosi badle nhi ja sakte‘ (You can change your friends, but not neighbours),” he was quoted as saying by ANI.