Baramulla, 09-04-2021: Members of “Save Youth Save Future” organised the latest event of series of full-day trainings as part of the project “Free 4 Youth: Fighting radicalization to enhance e-strategy for a youth-comprehensive approach towards on-line terrorism”.
The event took place in Baramulla Dak Banglow and consisted of three sessions, in which 142 individuals from Baramulla, Pulwama, Sopore, Bandipore, Srinagar and Budgam participated. The first session was on the role of counter-narratives and alternative narratives in the prevention of radicalization. The trainers explained the key terminology on the matter and provided avenues of countering the extremist narratives and building a peaceful discourse. One of the chief guests was the Senior Superintendent of the Baramulla Police (SSP), alongside with many prominent social activists and lawyers. The speakers thoroughly examined the processes of radicalization and figuratively described how they take control over the youth and gravitate them towards the negative forces of terrorism. The Chairman of SYSF stressed upon the immediate necessity of enhancing transparency and accountability in the governance system, while further engaging and empowering youth at all possible levels for the purposes of promoting sustainability and welfare within the society.
SSP Baramulla affirmed that the involvement of youth in peace building activities is a cardinal priority of his institution, while further assuring the facilitation of the Civil service initiative for the vigorous and enthusiastic youth at district level. He asserted that police-public coordination is a must in the eradication of social evils and their focus will be on the expansion of higher quality cooperation at all possible levels.
The second session of the event focused on the legal framework regarding radicalisation and terrorist offences, encouraging law enforcement personnel to think outside the box and incorporating a multi-agency approach towards youngsters, thus showcasing that legal measures should be proportionate to the stage of radicalisation. The Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act were analysed in-depth. Finally, the event concluded with a real case roundtable, during which local cases studies were explored.