The recent terrorist attack in Doda district, which claimed five lives including an Army officer and a J&K Police official, has sparked a heated political debate, exposing deep-rooted tensions in the Union Territory’s governance.
In a bold move, J&K’s Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain publicly criticized regional political parties for allegedly glamorizing terrorism. Swain’s statement, released yesterday, accused mainstream parties of enabling Pakistan’s infiltration into civil society and creating confusion among civilians and security forces alike.
The DGP highlighted controversial past practices, including politicians visiting homes of slain terrorists and expressing public sympathy. He alleged that while new terrorist recruits were eliminated, those facilitating recruitment and financing remained uninvestigated. Swain also claimed that senior police officers were unjustly imprisoned alongside terrorists. Citing the 2009 drowning incident of two girls, Swain accused political entities of hijacking the narrative, leading to prolonged unrest despite a CBI investigation proving it accidental. He further alleged that some parties cultivated relationships with terror networks for electoral gains.
In a swift rebuttal, PDP Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti launched a scathing attack on Swain’s leadership. Mufti demanded accountability for the loss of nearly 50 soldiers in the past 32 months, calling for the DGP’s dismissal. She accused Swain of political meddling, alleging his focus has shifted from security to breaking opposition parties and harassing civilians and journalists.
Mufti also claimed that verification processes have been weaponized, with authorities allegedly misusing the UAPA. She pointedly stated, “We don’t need a fixer here, we need a DGP,” implying that the current administration is operating along communal lines.
Despite this criticism, security analysts have come to Swain’s defense. An Defence expert praised the DGP’s efforts to reform J&K’s policing system, particularly in addressing the dichotomy of families with members in both anti-national activities and government positions. The analyst suggested that Swain’s reforms have unsettled groups with separatist leanings or affiliations with organizations like Jamat-e-Islami.
