<p>Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to reconsider its decision to engage 4,000 ex-servicemen, instead of fresh recruits, for static guard duties at vital installations.</p>.<p>In a letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, she said this is in view of the rising unemployment in the Union Territory.</p>.23 terror associates booked under Public Safety Act in J&K.<p>"I am writing to express my deep misgivings and concern regarding your government's recent decision on deploying 4,000 ex-servicemen to guard critical infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. While we value the service and discipline of our veterans, this move raises serious questions, especially because it comes at a time when lakhs of educated yet unemployed youth are struggling to find opportunities in J&K," Mufti said in the letter.</p>.<p>"Static guard duties do not require military expertise and could very well be performed by trained local youth, for whom such employment could be a vital lifeline," the letter added.</p>.J&K CM Omar slams Mehbooba over Tulbul navigation issue.<p>The former J&K chief minister said that since many of these ex-servicemen already receive pensions, prioritising them over jobless young people risks the deepening of a sense of exclusion among the youth. The government will also miss a crucial opportunity to build trust and engagement, she said.</p>.<p>"Furthermore, this policy could be perceived as a short-term security solution that fails to address long-term social and economic stability. Engaging local youth in such roles will not only generate employment but also foster a sense of responsibility, inclusion and participation in maintaining public safety, an essential pillar of peace-building in the region," she added.</p>.<p>Mufti asked the Chief Minister's Office to reconsider or clarify the rationale behind this policy and to explore inclusive models that also benefit the unemployed youth in the region. </p>
<p>Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to reconsider its decision to engage 4,000 ex-servicemen, instead of fresh recruits, for static guard duties at vital installations.</p>.<p>In a letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, she said this is in view of the rising unemployment in the Union Territory.</p>.23 terror associates booked under Public Safety Act in J&K.<p>"I am writing to express my deep misgivings and concern regarding your government's recent decision on deploying 4,000 ex-servicemen to guard critical infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. While we value the service and discipline of our veterans, this move raises serious questions, especially because it comes at a time when lakhs of educated yet unemployed youth are struggling to find opportunities in J&K," Mufti said in the letter.</p>.<p>"Static guard duties do not require military expertise and could very well be performed by trained local youth, for whom such employment could be a vital lifeline," the letter added.</p>.J&K CM Omar slams Mehbooba over Tulbul navigation issue.<p>The former J&K chief minister said that since many of these ex-servicemen already receive pensions, prioritising them over jobless young people risks the deepening of a sense of exclusion among the youth. The government will also miss a crucial opportunity to build trust and engagement, she said.</p>.<p>"Furthermore, this policy could be perceived as a short-term security solution that fails to address long-term social and economic stability. Engaging local youth in such roles will not only generate employment but also foster a sense of responsibility, inclusion and participation in maintaining public safety, an essential pillar of peace-building in the region," she added.</p>.<p>Mufti asked the Chief Minister's Office to reconsider or clarify the rationale behind this policy and to explore inclusive models that also benefit the unemployed youth in the region. </p>