Anantnag, Oct 28 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday called for a reversal of the brain drain in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the return of professionals to the state.
“We have to reverse the brain drain that has denuded the state of many of the teachers, doctors, engineers and intellectuals,” the prime minister said in a speech before inaugurating a rail link to link the northern and southern parts of the state that will fulfil a long-felt need of its people.

“We have to create the conditions for them to return and to be the instruments of change and development,” he said.

Thousands of professionals have fled Jammu and Kashmir since militancy erupted in the state two decades ago. The violence spree has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Manmohan Singh said that “unprecedented resources” had been committed to the state for its comprehensive reconstruction.

“But I recognise that the benefits are trickling down slowly. This state of affairs should change. We have to speed up the pace of development in the state.”