Homeland Security

Terrorism and Indian Ambivalence
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Issue Vol 23.2 Apr-Jul 2008 | Date : 14 Oct , 2011

Well over five decades, India has been combating insurgencies, militancy, and terrorism. Its security forces have been extensively employed to firefight such situations- erupting after years of simmering-but invariably catching the Indian leadership off guard. The Indian Army too has been at it, at the cost of its primary role, i.e. fighting external aggression. The army and other security forces have seldom returned to their barracks once sent out on such errands.

To many, continuation of insurgency and terrorism makes a good economic sense. Liberal grants flow from the Centre. Hostile country waging proxy-war pours in more and more funds. Deployment of security forces and intelligence agencies bring in more money in the state.

During these years, multitude of Special Forces, para-military forces, central and state police cadres and intelligence agencies have also been raised. Enormous amount of taxpayers’ money has been spent on these for their maintenance and modernisation, but the desired results have been elusive.

India has been combating terrorism when no one ever thought that some day a global war against this menace would be initiated. We bled silently as the perpetrators waged a relentless proxy-war. We can congratulate ourselves for controlling terrorism in some states, through military means, but most of the situations are still very virulent and no permanent solution is in sight. Meanwhile, new threats have also cropped up; and the portents of “Maoist Movement” are too grave to be discounted lightly.

Why do our efforts to combat terrorism always fall short of the desired goals? Why can’t we mop up the entire situation in one deft stroke once the security forces have brought the violence level to a manageable threshold? Why is prevailing law and order situation so conducive for some to challenge the sovereignty and unity of the country?   These are some questions, which deserve some deep introspection by us.

Indian party politics is perhaps, the biggest spoilsport when it comes to combating terrorism. No holds are barred to appease a particular ‘vote-bank’. National interests take a back seat and the parties, to play ‘realpolitik’, seize anything that gives slightest of political advantage upon.  Otherwise, how do we explain Nandigram – essentially a socio-economic problem, which turned into an armed conflict between two warring political parties, whose cadres openly indulged in murder, rape, plunder, and arson; or, the incessant stream of Bangladeshi nationals pouring into India through a particular state; or, the stand off between the centre and the states over the Maoist issue, where accusations seem to be more important than instituting some concrete measures to counter this potential threat to national unity; or, the demolition of the Babri Mosque, which provided an excellent opportunity to Pakistan’s ISI to infiltrate deep into country’s hinterland? Examples of such willful omissions and commissions are many, where national security interests have been sacrificed for the sake of petty political objectives.

Despite our expertise in information technology we are still grappling with this problem and a national identity document for every citizen is a far cry.

India has been demanding the return of some of the proclaimed offenders living in its neighbourhood, but to no avail. Isn’t it surprising that we could not convince our immediate neighbours to sign an extradition treaty – in happier times? It took us great deal of persuasion to convince Bhutan to launch “Operation All Clear” against the ULFA militants; but why have our similar efforts with Pakistan and Bangladesh come to naught?

A country’s resolve in fighting cross-border terrorism is as good as its actions; and not in the mere rhetoric. For long our leadership has talked about “hot pursuit”; to get at the terror infrastructure across the borders, but why do we develop cold feet when it comes to execution? This dithering has only emboldened our smaller neighbours who have also embarked upon same tactic of bleeding India “through a thousand cuts”.

When law and order is crippled and violence is raging, use of force is the only alternative left to the State. It is hoped that once the security forces have brought the situation under control, the civilian government of the day will take over and exercise all non-military means to extinguish the remnants of secession and disaffection through “good governance”. But, this end state is never achieved, and the situation either relapses into its virulent form or continues to simmer, necessitating continued deployment of the security forces. Despite a great deal of debate and lamentation, we still yearn for good governance.

Today the policemen are an unenviable lot; law-abiding citizens fear them; criminals befriend them and politicians misuse them.

To many, continuation of insurgency and terrorism makes a good economic sense. Liberal grants flow from the Centre. Hostile country waging proxy-war pours in more and more funds. Deployment of security forces and intelligence agencies bring in more money in the state. Ultras impose taxes, carry out extortion and indulge in profitable business of drugs and arms. Accountability is lax – leading to a large-scale corruption by politicians, bureaucrats, police, contractors, and ultras -gnawing at the funds meant for development and “good governance”. Who would like to interrupt such a “windfall”, where everybody rakes in the moolah? Hence the situation never improves and the Centre ends up with providing more assistance and writing off the debts of the troubled state.

Funding terrorism in India is no longer a matter of speculation. Evidences suggest about the presence of terror money in the stock market, real estate, Bollywood and so on, but the economic offence department has not been able to institute a foolproof method to trace out this funding. Isn’t it ironical that the money generated through the country’s economy is being used for destablising the country?

Geographical location and economic status of India make her a natural choice for inter-country migration in South Asia. Lax laws, corrupt politicians and officials, porous and poorly guarded borders and coastline make it a cake-walk for those, who want to get in (or get out). Influx of Bangladeshis has wrecked havoc in West Bengal, Assam and the northeast. The ethnic fabric of the northeastern society has been severely strained by this migration. Presence of Bangladeshis in India is pegged at 20 million. There are reports that Harkat-ul-Jihad-Islami (HUJI) terrorists are now operating from Bangladesh. Thousands of Nepalese, Bhutanese, Sri Lankan Tamils, Afghanis, and Chakma Hindus also live in India. On the face of it, it may appear innocuous but some groups such as Nepalese Gorkhas and Sri Lankan Tamils are already vying for political space. We are yet to shake off our complacency, which sees this phenomenon as a “benign migration” and not as a grand design to overwhelm the country. Such migrations when blended with regional politics, communalism and religious extremism become a breeding ground for terrorism.

Editor’s Pick

Proof of identity for an Indian citizen is still undecided – a ration card, driving license, telephone bill, voter ID, and passport – anything goes as a proof of identity. Investigations into many high profile crimes have revealed that how easy it is to assume Indian identity – just for a few thousand rupees. Despite our expertise in information technology we are still grappling with this problem and a national identity document for every citizen is a far cry.

Our security system is obsessed with high profile targets, whereas the terrorists have no compunction in targeting common people in vulnerable public places.

Indian judicial system is infamous for its archaic laws; corrupt practitioners, poor conviction rate and sluggish pace at which it delivers justice. It took us 14 years to deliver judgment (in the lowest court) in Bombay Blasts Case. Political interference in this regard is all too evident. One government brought POTA but the other repealed it – stating it was too draconian. Terrorism is an extraordinary situation; which cannot be tackled through the laws meant for normal infringements. In a judicial system wherein final judgment in a case normally outlives the plaintiff; how can one expect an exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of terror to deter others?

The political parties, media and the NGOs – severely criticising the existing laws enforced to tackle terrorism, often take up question of human rights and personal freedom. This debate is ongoing and often motivated and always shows the security forces in poor light, which is lapped up by foreign media and other groups. A fastidious adherence to fundamental rights is desirable but not at the cost of country’s sovereignty and unity.

All said and done – there is no substitute to good policing when it comes to fight the terror. State cadres of Indian police are an impressive phalanx of 1.2 million – but in dire need of modernisation and most importantly – freedom from their political masters. Today the policemen are an unenviable lot; law-abiding citizens fear them; criminals befriend them and politicians misuse them. When poses of police personnel guard their political masters; the common man and his security is neglected. Our security system is obsessed with high profile targets, whereas the terrorists have no compunction in targeting common people in vulnerable public places. The police must break from its feudal past if it wants cooperation from the citizens in its crusade against terrorism.

Curbing terror is all about a good network of intelligence ““ in and outside the country. Our intelligence setup has often been questioned for it efficiency for a long time.

Law and order situation in the country is in fact is a major factor on which the terrorism thrives, because terrorists can easily form linkages with petty criminals for some consideration or inducement. In India, where the society stands polarised over caste, religion and region, it becomes easy for the terror groups to work their way through. Similarly, if there is no surfeit of illegal arms and explosives in the society the situation becomes that more conducive for running the business of terror.

Curbing terror is all about a good network of intelligence – in and outside the country. Our intelligence setup has often been questioned for it efficiency for a long time. Various agencies are accused to work at cross-purposes; trying to defend their own little turfs. Despite a plethora of agencies available, we have not been able to carve a system wherein flow of intelligence is unbiased, unambiguous and unhindered.

Tackling terrorism is not the task of security forces alone. It has to be fought at many levels – in the government and the society. While the leadership inspires confidence, the other organs of the establishment should voluntarily contribute with their military and non-military capabilities to create a secure environment.

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