With the Budgam encounter raising possibilities of another prolonged unrest in the militancy-hit Kashmir Valley, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh on Friday said it is high time to educate the youth not to get provoked by some anti-social elements.
Singh asserted that some anti-social elements have been influencing the poor and youth, thus forcing them to risk their lives.
"Youth are continuously provoked by some anti-social elements through social media to partake in riots like Budgam encounter and risk their lives in such terrorist attacks," Singh told ANI.
"It's high time we should educate these poor youth and their families from getting influenced by social media," he added.
The Minister of State in PMO further said the ministers, who secure lives of their children through government jobs or sending them abroad for higher studies, should send them to the warfare instead of putting the lives of poor youth at risk.
"If jihad was so great then the ministers who secure lives of their own children through government jobs or send them abroad for higher studies must encourage them to the warfare instead of putting the lives of poor at risk," Singh added.
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Earlier on Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) S. P. Vaid alleged that Pakistan is responsible for instigating the youth of the Kashmir Valley to pelt stones during encounters.
"There is misuse of social media by the people, who are inimical to the peace of valley and our country. As the encounter starts, they start using social media instigating young boys to reach the place of encounter and throw stones so that terrorists can get out of the spot. Some of these accounts have been traced across (Pakistan)," Vaid told ANI.
He said that the armed forces keep on changing their strategies to tackle the unrest in the valley, adding their experience of previous years helps them to handle the situation.
Vaid said the armed forces have been able to minimise collateral damage and civilian casualties despite provocation from the other side.
"The boys are being brainwashed, they are being radicalized and it is challenge for us," he added.
He further appealed to the youth to remain in their homes and not come to encounter sites.
"Youth must understand that they are being used by the people, who just want to create chaos in the valley, for their political gains," he said.
Three civilians were killed in the Chadoora area of central Kashmir after the security forces opened fire on protesters who were allegedly pelting stones during an encounter between militants and army.
A local militant was also killed in the encounter whom the stone-pelters were allegedly trying to help escape.
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