SRINAGAR: PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has opposed the Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to deploy 4,000 ex-servicemen to guard key infrastructure, calling it a missed opportunity to address unemployment among the region’s youth.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mufti said while the service of military veterans is respected, static guard duties do not require military expertise and could be effectively handled by trained local youth.
“Such employment could be a vital lifeline for educated but jobless youth in Jammu and Kashmir,” she wrote. “Prioritising retired servicemen—many of whom already receive pensions—over unemployed young people risk deepening the sense of alienation.”
Mufti warned that the move may be viewed as a short-term security fix that fails to contribute to long-term peace and stability. She argued that engaging local youth in these roles would not only create employment but also foster inclusion, trust, and a sense of shared responsibility in maintaining public order.
Urging the administration to reconsider or at least clarify the rationale behind the policy, Mufti called for more inclusive models that address both security and socio-economic challenges in the Union Territory. (KNS)
