Delhi-based think-tank opens JK chapter to wean of youth from militancy, ensure peace building

Srinagar, April 06 (KNO) : At a time when local militancy continues to remain a major concern in Jammu and Kashmir, “Global Counter Terrorism Council” a New Delhi based think-tank group comprising former army and police officials besides “a galaxy of young minds” have constituted its J&K chapter to wean off the local boys from militancy and to engage them in a dialogue for development and peace.

According to an official document accessed by the KNO team, the GCTC would act as a nodal institution in the region to provide support to all kinds of efforts and objectives to bring peace and prosperity in the region. “The key role of the GCTC JK chapter would be to work towards work towards finding the methods and means to convince the youth of JK that the path of violence will not deliver anything. 

The youth of JK are the most important stakeholders in the peace process and it is essential to engage them regularly and effectively,” the document reveals. “The GCTC will collaborate with reputed institutions/organizations to do specialized research on counter terrorism, radicalization awareness, militancy issues etc.”

The document further states that the GCTC will conduct conferences, seminars, debates on wider topics which could bring peace and prosperity in the region. “It will also conduct business forums and engage corporate for enhancing investment in the region,” the document reveals.

This is for the first time a Global think-tank will be working towards peace in the region. “Some of the officials who have been contributing immensely and are part of GCTC are Dr Shekar Dutt, former governor Chattisgarh, Lt Gen (Rtd) Syed Ata Hasnain former GoC of 15 Corps and vice chancellor of Central University of Kashmir, former chief secretary Vijay Bakaya, former DGP Kuldeep Khoda, defence analyst Suhasni Haider, former air vice marshal Kapil Kat and many others,” the document states.

It says that there is a strong need felt to develop a local institution in Jammu and Kashmir which could support the ongoing efforts made by all parties/groups in the region for developing larger consensus to bring peace and prosperity in the region.

It states that GCTC is a registered non-profit civil society think tank initiated by public spirited individuals to awaken further issues of national interest and global conscience about “terrorism” as a threat to humanity and human security.  

“Members belonging to different faculties and background like former senior bureaucrats, academicians, former officers from the armed forces and paramilitary service, diplomats, , leading researchers, media analysis, parliamentarians, corporate heads and large number of youth are ready to play their role in building peace,” the GCTC official letter said.