Despite the recent elections and continuing cross-LOC interactions, the state of J&K has been witnessing an increasing radicalization of three distinct kinds – religious, regional, and tribal. While there has been much focus on military and human rights issues in the state, the growing divide between religious communities, regional antagonisms, and souring relations between various local tribal communities, are trends that have crept into the state almost unnoticed.

The primary focus of this project is to understand the nature of change that has been taking place at various levels, and work towards building peace. The project aims at bringing the younger generation in the different regions together to discuss the emerging issues and reach an understanding on how to prevent further radicalization and build peace among the various communities.

METHODOLOGY
The primary objective is to find the extent of radicalization and understand its nature. The project also aims to provide a forum, to the different communities and regions to come together and discuss these issues in a cordial atmosphere. The project would conclude by making specific policy recommendations to the governments and civil societies, based on the interactions.

A. SURVEY
The Institute proposes to conduct field research by a select research team of the IPCS, across the three regions – Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, specifically in ten towns – Jammu, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Srinagar, Baramulla, Sopore, Kargil and Leh. The survey will be conducted primarily among the youth, to understand their perceptions of religious, regional and tribal differences, and the measures they deem necessary for the state and civil society to adopt to prevent an escalation of conflict and violence.

The questions will be open ended, asking for the opinion of the respondents to find what they consider as the causes for radicalization. The survey will also ask for their recommendations on how to address the growing divide between the communities.

B. DISCUSSION PAPERS
The Institute will also commission discussion papers, written by young scholars on the above issues. These papers will be published as Issue Briefs (in 3000 words) and be used as background and discussion papers during the Workshop.

C. WORKSHOP
The Institute will hold a three-day workshop in Jammu during the first week of December 2009, with a view to bring together youth (25-30 in number) belonging to an age group of 20-30 years from varied backgrounds – students, scholars, and media persons, representing various communities of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, to debate these issues in smaller, sub-groups and make specific recommendations on how to prevent further radicalization