The people of South Kashmir have indeed realized that peace is the only way forward . The people of South Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Police District of Awantipora have earlier witnessed unrest and violence for a long time, and the people have borne the brunt.
In these districts, earlier, there used to be frequent stone pelting during gunfights, protests and joining of local youth in terrorist groups. Known for its unrest and violence, these districts have been making significant strides towards becoming a peace hub in recent years. The areas have witnessed a steep decrease in the number of violent incidents, and there have been efforts to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people.
One of the key factors contributing to this change is the increased focus on development and welfare initiatives by the Government. There has been an emphasis on improving infrastructure, providing better healthcare and education facilities, and creating employment opportunities.
Another important factor is the engagement with local communities and the strengthening of trust between the Government and the people. Dialogue and engagement have helped in addressing the grievances of the people and finding solutions to long-standing issues.
Additionally, there has been a concerted effort to counter the influence of terror groups and promote peace and reconciliation. The security forces have adopted a more nuanced approach, targeting terrorist groups while avoiding civilian casualties.
Overall, the progress made in South Kashmir towards peace and development is a positive sign, and there is a need to continue the efforts to consolidate the gains made so far. The sustained engagement with local communities, the strengthening of institutions, and the promotion of socio-economic development will be crucial in ensuring lasting peace in the region.
The trend of local recruitment in terror groups in South Kashmir has seen a significant decline in recent years. This can be attributed to various factors, including the increased focus on development and welfare initiatives, the strengthening of security forces, and the engagement with local communities.
The Government’s emphasis on development and welfare initiatives has helped in addressing the socio-economic issues that were often cited as reasons for the youth joining terror groups. Improved infrastructure, better healthcare and education facilities, and employment opportunities have provided a sense of hope and aspiration among the youth, reducing the appeal of joining militant groups.
The security forces have also played a critical role in reducing local recruitment in terror groups. The targeted operations against terrorists and their support networks have disrupted their activities, making it difficult for them to carry out attacks or recruit new members. The security forces have also adopted a more nuanced approach, avoiding civilian casualties and engaging with local communities to build trust and gather intelligence.
Finally, the engagement with local communities has helped in countering the propaganda and influence of militant groups. The efforts to address grievances and provide a platform for dialogue have helped in building trust and confidence among the people, reducing the alienation that often led to the radicalisation of youth.
Overall, the decline in local recruitment in terror groups in South Kashmir is a positive development, and there is a need to continue the efforts to consolidate the gains made so far. The sustained focus on development and welfare initiatives, the strengthening of security forces, and the engagement with local communities will be crucial in ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.
Security forces that included Army and J&K Police have played a commendable role in maintaining peace and stability in South Kashmir. The area has been witnessing unrest and violence for a long time, and the Army has been at the forefront of the efforts to restore normalcy.
The approach of Army and police towards the people of South Kashmir has been a key factor in building trust and confidence among the locals. The police and Army have been working closely with the local communities, engaging with them to understand their concerns and addressing their grievances. This has helped in building a positive relationship between the Army and the people, which is essential in ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.
The Army has also been involved in a range of development and welfare initiatives in South Kashmir. These initiatives have focused on providing basic amenities such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, which have helped in improving the socio-economic conditions of the people. The Army’s efforts in these areas have been widely appreciated by the people of South Kashmir.
Additionally, the police and Army have been successful in its operations against terrorist groups in the region. The Army’s targeted operations against militants have disrupted their activities, making it difficult for them to carry out attacks or recruit new members. This has helped in reducing the violence and restoring normalcy in south Kashmir.
Overall, the role of the police and Army in South Kashmir has been commendable. The approach of security forces towards the people and its involvement in development and welfare initiatives have helped in building trust and confidence among the locals. The operations by Police and Army against terror groups have also been successful in reducing violence in the region.
The realisation that peace is the only way forward has come about through a range of factors. The efforts of the Government in providing basic amenities such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities have helped in improving the socio-economic conditions of the people. The engagement with local communities and the dialogue to address grievances have helped in building trust and confidence among the people.
Additionally, the efforts of the security forces in countering the influence of terrorist groups and promoting peace and reconciliation have helped in reducing violence and restoring normalcy in the region.
The targeted operations against terrorists have disrupted their activities, making it difficult for them to carry out attacks or recruit new members. The security forces have also adopted a more nuanced approach, avoiding civilian casualties and engaging with local communities to build trust and gather intelligence.
Overall, the people of South Kashmir have realised that peace is the only way forward for the region. The sustained focus on development and welfare initiatives, the strengthening of security forces, and the engagement with local communities will be crucial in ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.
The security forces, along with the Government and civil society organisations, have been making concerted efforts to bring local youth back from the path of terrorism in South Kashmir. The government has launched various rehabilitation programs, which provide opportunities for youth to surrender and re-join mainstream society.
In addition to the rehabilitation programs, the security forces have been working closely with families and community leaders to persuade the local youth to give up terrorism and return to normal life. These efforts have yielded positive results, with many local youth surrendering and renouncing violence.
Moreover, the engagement with local communities has been critical in bringing youth back from the path of terrorism. The dialogue and engagement have helped in addressing the grievances of the people and finding solutions to long-standing issues, which were often cited as reasons for the youth joining terror groups.
The success in bringing local youth back from the path of terrorism is a positive sign, and there is a need to continue the efforts to consolidate the gains made so far. The sustained focus on development and welfare initiatives, the strengthening of security forces, and the engagement with local communities will be crucial in ensuring lasting peace and stability in South Kashmir.
The success in countering terrorism in South Kashmir is a positive sign, and there is a need to continue the efforts to consolidate the gains made so far. The sustained focus on development and welfare initiatives, the strengthening of security forces, and the engagement with local communities will be crucial in ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.
(The author is senior staffer at Greater Kashmir)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author.
The facts, analysis, assumptions and perspective appearing in the article do not reflect the views of GK.