The 2 go hand in hand. The peaceful element provides cover and public cause support for the more militant elements. They also make it harder to concentrate forces to deal with them.
In turn, the militant add teeth to the peaceful element.
An intelligent government acts early, before the militant elements can come to bear. But for best results both (technically all 3, including political) are required.
Another good example are the Irish troubles. The IRA, while prominent, couldn't "win". The marches, and Sinn Fein did.