Daily Times

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Tuesday for an end to the violence in Held Kashmir, promising jobs for young people, in his first comments since the deadly clashes began over a month ago.

Much of Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) has been under a curfew since protests broke out over the murder on July 8 of a popular young rebel leader at the hands of Indian forces. “We want to create jobs and employment for the youth of Kashmir. The entire country is with you,” said Modi.

The prime minister has faced criticism for failing to speak out about the unrest, which has abated but shows no signs of ending. “Peace, unity and harmony in Kashmir is everyone’s priority,” Modi said in a speech broadcast on the national television, blaming “a few misguided people” for the violence. “It pains me sometimes that some young men, who should have a laptop, a volleyball, cricket bat… have been given stones in their hands.”