Bilal Bhat
( Journalist, writer conflict analyst)
When R.R. Swain assumed charge as the Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir on October 31, 2023, one of his first major initiatives was not an anti-terror operation or a new security doctrine. Instead, he announced fortnightly public darbars in Srinagar and Jammu, where any citizen could directly meet the police chief without prior appointment to raise grievances. He described the initiative as an experiment to identify shortcomings in policing and strengthen the relationship between the police and the people.
The initiative reflected a broader philosophy—that policing is not measured solely by its ability to prevent crime or defeat terrorism, but also by the confidence ordinary citizens place in the institution. That confidence has become increasingly important because Jammu and Kashmir today is vastly different from what it was a decade ago.
The security landscape has undergone a profound transformation after decades of militancy that claimed the lives of civilians, political workers, journalists, police personnel, soldiers and countless innocent young Kashmiris. The sacrifices of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, the Central Armed Police Forces and ordinary citizens have contributed significantly to improving the security environment. Tourism has reached unprecedented levels, infrastructure has expanded, businesses have revived and many young people today aspire to careers in technology, entrepreneurship, education and public service rather than conflict.
Yet history demonstrates that sustainable peace depends on more than security indicators. Across societies emerging from prolonged conflict, trust in public institutions becomes one of the strongest safeguards against instability. When people believe they can seek justice without fear, confidence in democratic institutions deepens. Conversely, if citizens begin to perceive that their grievances are not heard or are treated unequally, that confidence can erode.
This challenge extends beyond policing alone. Citizens frequently encounter government departments while seeking basic public services, resolving land records, obtaining revenue documents or pursuing other lawful entitlements. Administrative efficiency, transparency and respectful treatment often shape public perception of governance as much as major policy decisions.
Another issue that has attracted legal and judicial attention nationally is the distinction between civil disputes and criminal offences. Courts have repeatedly emphasised that purely civil disagreements—such as property disputes, contractual disagreements or money recovery matters—should ordinarily be resolved through appropriate civil legal mechanisms, unless the facts disclose a cognizable criminal offence. The distinction exists to ensure that criminal law is not used where civil remedies are more appropriate. Every case, however, depends on its own facts and applicable law.
Press freedom forms another pillar of democratic accountability. Journalists investigating environmental concerns, public expenditure, governance or alleged irregularities perform a recognised public-interest function. At the same time, journalism carries responsibilities of accuracy, fairness and verification. Where journalists allege intimidation or obstruction while carrying out professional duties—including concerns publicly raised by this writer, Muhammad Suhail Dar and Firdous—those allegations deserve impartial examination through established legal processes. Likewise, any complaint against journalists should also be addressed strictly according to law, ensuring fairness for all concerned.
The overwhelming majority of officers serving in the Jammu and Kashmir Police continue to enjoy public respect earned through decades of extraordinary sacrifice. Thousands have risked or lost their lives combating terrorism and protecting civilians. That legacy is strengthened—not diminished—when institutions investigate credible complaints transparently and maintain robust internal accountability.
Public outreach initiatives such as grievance hearings, transparent complaint mechanisms and community engagement remain important tools for strengthening institutional legitimacy. Their value lies not merely in resolving individual complaints but in demonstrating that citizens can access the system without fear or favour.
Jammu and Kashmir now stands at a different stage of its journey. The central challenge is no longer only how to defeat violence. It is how to consolidate peace by strengthening public confidence in institutions. Security gains achieved through years of sacrifice can endure only when accompanied by equal commitment to fairness, accountability, due process and respect for constitutional rights.
The future of Jammu and Kashmir will therefore be shaped not only by economic development or security statistics, but also by whether every citizen—whether a farmer, entrepreneur, student, government employee, journalist or daily wage worker—believes that the law will be applied fairly and that institutions remain accessible, transparent and accountable.
Peace is ultimately sustained not only by the absence of violence, but by the presence of justice and public trust. Preserving both remains one of the most important responsibilities before every institution entrusted with serving the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
