On the second day of the three day National Conference, “Trends in Non Traditional Security” organised by the Department of National Security Studies (NSS), Central University of Jammu (CUJ), in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Department of International Relations, Christ University, and the Konrad-Adeanuer-Stiftung, India Office at the Temporary Campus, CUJ, Sainik Colony was successfully conducted. Three active sessions on multiple themes, “Classic Narrative”, “Counter Narrative” and “Comparative Narrative” (of the non traditional security) were significantly carried out.

The first session on “Classic Narrative” was chaired by Sh M M Khajuria, Former DGP, JK Police. Experts from different backgrounds including Mr RC Kotwal, SP, JK Police, Dr Geeta Madhavan, Strategic and Security Analyst, Prof Dipankar Sengupta, Jammu University and Dr Mahesh Kaul, Consultant, J&K, IMPARD have presented papers on Narco-Trafficking, Terrorism, Economic Policy and Terrorism and, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) respectively. In his presentation, Kotwal explained various aspects of threats related to drugs, and how terrorist exploited them for monetary benefits. Subsequently, Dr Geeta during her presentation narrated the changing facets of terrorism from classical concept to current trend. Followed by a deliberation made by Prof Dipankar, he suggested that tremendous amount of money has been spent by the central and state governments in countering militancy in J&K. Dr Mahesh also highlighted the challenges and issues facing by the J&K Government on refugees and IDPs. The first session was ended with a lively debate on issues related to radicalisation, drug abuses and extortion (terrorist) between the speakers and audience in the floor.

While the second session on “Counter Narrative” was chaired by Prof S.K Sharma, Vivekananda Chair, CUJ, notable speakers including Prof Mallika Joseph, Head, DNSS, CUJ, Maj Gen Dipankar Banerjee, FSI, Ms Riya Bawa, Christ University have presented papers on Human Security, Comprehensive Security and, Feminism and Humanitarian Discourses respectively. In her topical lecture, Prof Mallika Joseph has made an elaborative explanation on the impact of human security and non traditional security narratives. General Depankar recalling his past experience as a serving officer in J&K, expressed the challenges and measures of comprehensive security with old ideas and new relevance in Asia. Interestingly, Ms Riya in her speech elaborated the concept of security and humanitarian from the lens of feminism. Their presentations were followed by a vibrant question and answer session in which issues related to Chinese discourse on security, state response, Indian security policy and strategic autonomy have been thoroughly discussed.

The third discussion on “Contemporary Narrative – Local” was moderated by Mr SN Srivastava, ADGP, CRPF. Several issues pertaining to demography, water, radicalisation, new media, disaster management and responses were discussed during the session. Amongst the guest speakers were Dr Manoharan, Associate Professor, Christ University (CU), Anurag Tripathi, Assistant Professor, CU, Maj Gen Naresh Badhani, The Global Education and Leadership Foundation and Ms Ambika Vishwanath, Geopolitical and Strategic Consultant.

In his lecture Dr Monoharan explained about the transnational, regional, gender and culture imbalances, and their impact on the security and society. It was followed by a presentation given by Dr Anurag on the ambiguity concept of radicalisation and he argued extremism is not applicable only to religion. During his deliberation, Gen Naresh highlighted the contours of disaster management and vulnerabilities of climate change along with environmental degradation. In addition, Ms Ambika interestingly made an explanation on the aspect of water security and global water sharing issues. After the significant presentations, the programme of the day was successfully ended with a brain storming discussions on understanding religion and radicalisation, social factor of extremism and threats emanating from imbalance demography, disaster/floods in J&K.