Srinagar, Nov 19 (KNS): Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) R.R. Swain on Wednesday said that ordinary Kashmiris have consistently preferred peace, normalcy, and economic stability, noting that their refusal to observe shutdown calls from across the border reflects a genuine desire for dignity and livelihood rather than fear or coercion.

Speaking as Co-Chair at a national webinar organised by the Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC), Swain stated that given a fair and orderly environment, the people of Kashmir invariably choose stability over conflict. “In 35 years of militancy, the number of educated individuals taking up arms has remained few and far between,” he said, describing radicalisation as a deeply personal process influenced by vulnerabilities, ideological exposure and triggering events.

Swain urged caution in interpreting the recent Delhi blast case, warning that premature conclusions could misrepresent the ground reality.

He said that the Kashmir conflict has historically carried a class dimension, with elites and those with resources driving the narrative, funding, and ideological ecosystem, while the armed roles were often left to others. “What is worrying,” he added, “is the emerging trend of individuals from privileged or educated backgrounds moving from narrative-building to direct involvement in violence.” The former DGP emphasised that public sentiment in the Valley has long leaned towards peace and normal life.

“The ordinary citizen’s priorities revolve around livelihood, dignity and stability,” he said, adding that this preference has manifested clearly in the people’s reluctance to heed shutdown calls issued from across the border, he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

R R Swain highlighting the catastrophic damages that have been prevented at a national level, said, one cannot but appreciate the high standards of professional work of J&K Police. Its stellar work has established its deeply held thesis: the men with the posters are connected with the men with the bullets and bombs and are as much a risk, through basic and robust ground level policing, he said.

Swain underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy to address radicalisation, combining effective governance, quality education, economic opportunity and strong rule of law. He said the challenge lies in identifying the small fraction of individuals whose transition from grievance to violence and intercepting that process early. “Radicalisation must be countered through a whole-of-society approach rooted in justice, opportunity, and social inclusion,” he said.

In his concluding remarks, he said, the answer lies, among other things in taking decisively hard-hitting actions but only against the incorrigible few chosen carefully through intelligence, technology and investigation. And the few includes the well-to-do operating and pulling the strings from behind the scene, he added. (KNS)