Demonetisation leads to 44 per cent upward spike in Kashmiri youths joining terror outfits

Kashmir saw a 500 per cent jump in local youths joining militant ranks in the last six years. Going by the state government numbers, Kashmir saw a significant rise in young men joining militant group since BJP-led central government took power in the Parliament in 2014.

While, veteran BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh have been claiming that militancy in Kashmir valley has been crippled after they the government introduced demonetisation in November 2016.

However, going by the figures announced by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, the valley has seen a 44 per cent jump in local youths joining militant groups from 2016.

The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister informed the state assembly on Tuesday that around 126 youths have joined extremist groups in 2017, 38 more than 2016.

However, Mufti’s figures contradict that of  Jammu and Kashmir police chief S P Vaid. J&K DGP last month had claimed that the state has seen a sharp spike in the number of young Kashmiris joining militants groups in 2017.

According to Mufit’s data, 2017 has witnessed highest number of youths joining militant groups in the last seven years.

Mufti replying to a written question by National Conference leader Ali Mohammed Sagar said, “66 youths have joined militancy in 2015, 88 in 2016, 126 in 2017.”

The surge in numbers has been seen ever since Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016.

Also read: Jammu and Kashmir: Burhan Wani successor Yaseen Itoo killed in Shopian encounter

The data placed by Mufti, the state has seen a significant increase in the numbers of youths taking up arms in the Valley from 2014. The state has seen a severe dip in locals joining militant outfit in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

According to government officials 54 youths joined militant groups in 2010, numbers slided to 23 in 2011, 21 in 2012 and only 16 in 2013.

The state witnessed a constant rise is the number of youths joining militancy since 2014. According to date 53 joined in 2014, 66 in 2015 and 88 in 2016.

According to Jammu and Kashmir officials, large number of youths who have joined various militant ranks are from well to do families and literates.