Srinagar, June 3 (TNS): Indian security agencies have warned of a rise in recruitment of local youths into armed freedom struggle that has crossed 80 this year alone.
Indian security agency officials said the highly-volatile Shopian and Pulwama districts in South Kashmir continued to contribute more youths to the militant groups.
As many as 20 more youths have joined the militant groups in the month of May which included Rouf from Ganderbal, a fourth-semester student pursuing a diploma course in government polytechnic, Indian officials said.
An Unani doctor, the brother of IPS officer Inamulhaq Mengnoo, has also been reported missing from Shopian and it is apprehended that he too may have joined freedom fighters’ groups, they said, adding that the figure at the end of April 2018 was 45.
Indian officials said another 16 were missing mainly from the twin districts and a probe was on to ascertain whether they have joined any freedom fighters group.
The year 2018, according to Indian officials, may end up as the worst year in terms of number of youths joining various militant groups as the figures indicated that 81 youths had joined until May 2018.
In 2017, a total of 126 youths had picked up guns. It was the highest number since 2010, according to a recent data presented in the state Assembly and Parliament.
