'Terrorism's last breath'

Prime Minister says his focus is carving out a young leadership in Jammu and Kashmir

- Rajesh Moudgil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his poll campaign in Doda by asserting that terrorism was taking its last breath in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that his government projected new leadership to counter dynastic politics that has destroyed "this beautiful region".

Hours before Modi began his nearly 45-minute speech at the rally three terrorists were killed on Saturday morning in an overnight encounter with security forces in Baramulla district, police said.

“This time, the (assembly) election will decide the future of Jammu and Kashmir, which has remained the target of foreign powers since Independence," he told the gathering.

The prime minister said his government focused on carving out a young leadership in Jammu and Kashmir soon after "we came to power at the Centre in 2014".

"The youths of J-K used to face the brunt of terrorism. The parties which encouraged familism by misleading people enjoyed power and did not allow young leaders to take root.

He said these parties (Congress, PDP, and NC) never wanted the youth to join politics but "we challenged their intentions and the result was that 30,000 to 35,000 youngsters got elected (in the local body elections) and took control of J-K".