Srinagar, Jan 01: Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain Monday said that while there has been a notable reduction in terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, it has not been entirely eradicated and they cannot afford to let their guard down.
In his New Year message to police officials, he urged them to actively contribute to maintaining peace, fostering an environment where voters and candidates can participate in elections without apprehension.
DGP Swain said on the imperative task for 2024—preventing any potential resurgence of the previously dismantled terror ecosystem in any form. While acknowledging a decline in terrorism in the region, he underscored that it hasn’t been entirely eradicated.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir Police has remained, and will continue to remain, at the forefront to uphold the sovereignty, integrity and the honour of Bharat. Over more than 1600 J&K police personnel have made the supreme sacrifice of laying down their lives at the altar of duty.
“This proud professional force has given enormous sacrifices to get J&K out of the clutches of sponsored terrorism and ensure an enabling environment for fostering peace and development,” he said.
DGP Swain called for concerted efforts to ensure a peaceful environment, enabling voters and candidates to participate in upcoming elections without fear. The challenge for 2024 is not to let the dismantled terror ecosystem “take roots or resurface even marginally in any form”.
“We must be thoroughly prepared to create a tranquil atmosphere, where ordinary young individuals, regardless of their background, but dedicated to transparent governance and the well-being of their constituents, feel at liberty to cast their votes and engage in healthy competition for political power without the looming threat of separatists and the influence of terrorists.
He said J&K Police has been relentlessly pursuing the goal of ecosystem can be gauged by the fact that in 2023, 55 foreign and 21 local commanders of different terror outfits were neutralized, 89 terror modules were busted and 291 terror suspects/associates arrested.
DGP Swain said that a peaceful environment is essential for attracting investments, fostering employment opportunities, and establishing new enterprises. Despite the strides we have taken, it is crucial to acknowledge that complacency is unwarranted. While terrorism has diminished, it’s not entirely eradicated, and we cannot afford to let our guard down,” he said.
“The adversary will persist in deploying diverse tactics to disrupt peace, and it is our duty to thwart such moves before they gain traction,” DGP Swain said addressing the ongoing challenges.
He stressed the need for zero tolerance toward any individual or activity jeopardizing the nation’s peace, stability, and the safety of local communities. However, he also emphasized the importance of demonstrating genuine empathy and compassion for fellow peace-loving citizens.
Highlighting the recent achievement of dismantling a significant portion of the terror ecosystem, DGP Swain cautioned against allowing its resurgence in any form.
“Till yesterday, the challenge was to dismantle the terror ecosystem which has been achieved, and now the new challenge is not to let it take marginally in any form. We are facing the challenge of drug menace and security threat as well as a social evil. We need to work relentlessly to uplift the society that J&K police shall keep our future generations free from this menace,” he said.
DGP Swain also acknowledged additional challenges, such as the menace of drugs and narco-terrorism, describing them as both security threats and social evils. He called for relentless efforts to eradicate these issues, emphasizing the responsibility of J&K police to protect future generations from such threats.
He also addressed the evolving landscape of warfare, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). He warned that AI warfare poses an increasing threat, urging the force to enhance skills in technology and AI-backed policing urgently, while continuing to refine traditional methods for maintaining peace and counter-terrorism efforts.
Commending the police force, DGP Swain highlighted the sacrifices made by over 1,600 personnel in the past three decades of terrorism. He underscored the unique responsibility of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, tasked with maintaining law and order on the streets and combating terrorists with and without guns.
He also praised the force for its pivotal role in realizing the vision of ‘Naya Kashmir’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing the pressures faced by police personnel and their families from various quarters, DGP Swain assured unwavering support, vowing to combat any attempt to vilify the force. He concluded by reaffirming the commitment to creating an enabling environment for peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
