Shopian, Dec 31: Amid sub-zero temperatures and harsh winter conditions, independent MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay on Wednesday organised his first youth convention in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, drawing hundreds of young participants from surrounding villages.
The event, held in an open public space despite the cold, focused on issues of unemployment, drug abuse, and economic stagnation in the region. Addressing the gathering, Kullay said the youth of Shopian need “handholding and direction”, stressing that empowering young people is at the core of his political agenda. “Youth empowerment is my goal. I have realised that unemployment is one of the biggest concerns here, and without addressing it, progress will remain incomplete,” he said.
Kullay said that the development of the Mughal Road—an alternative road link connecting Shopian with Rajouri and Poonch—could serve as a major economic lifeline for local residents, boosting trade, tourism and employment. He alleged that successive governments had neglected Shopian, leaving the district trailing behind on development front. “Shopian is lagging behind because previous regimes ignored us. A discriminatory approach was adopted for years, and our youth paid the price,” he said.
He urged young people not to succumb to fear, exploitation or political manipulation. Without naming anyone, he alleged that certain individuals were “trying to blackmail and mislead” the youth. “Do not be afraid. Do not give anyone money for jobs. No one should exploit you for their benefit,” he said.
Calling drug addiction a growing danger, Kullay appealed to families and community elders to help keep young people away from substance abuse and work collectively to build a healthier environment. “Our future depends on our youth. If they fall, we all fall,” he added. Kullay said that over the past year, he secured approval for several development projects, including a state-of-the-art pesticide laboratory, the construction of a marriage hall, an AYUSH hospital, and the installation of street lights, among other works.