'Those provoking youth in Kashmir for Jihaad have kept their children in safe havens'

New Delhi: There is a need to educate youth in Kashmir against those working with vested interest to harm the country's unity, Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said, observing that those instigating the youth for so called 'Jihaad' have kept their own children in safe havens.

He also said that those who have lost their lives in the current turmoil in Kashmir valley belong to the poorest of the poor sections.

"And those who provoked these poor people to come forward and lay down their lives in the name of so called 'Jihaad' have ensured that their own children and family are lodged in safe havens," Singh, who represents Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur constituency in Lok Sabha, told PTI here.

The Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office questioned those provoking youth to take up violent paths in Jammu and Kashmir in the name of 'jannat' and asked why they don't offer their own children the opportunity to go to 'jannat' or paradise.

He said there should be no compromise in countering terrorism and the Centre is committed to take action against those inciting violence.

"But at the same time every step should be taken to ensure safety of innocent people especially youth and children.    There is a need for educating youth that they should not get instigated or misled by some people working with vested interest to harm the country's unity," said the Minister.

He had hoped that the situation in Kashmir Valley will soon be normal.

Singh said there is absolute coordination between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government to resolve the situation in parts of the state.

He also attacked Pakistan for provoking turmoil in the Valley.

"The common man in the streets of Srinagar does not approve of violence but there are a handful of people sponsored by Pakistan who are provoking youth and creating trouble in Kashmir Valley," Singh said.

As many as 68 people, including two police personnel, have been killed and several thousands injured in the continuing unrent in the Kashmir valley since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter.