State and Non-state actors in Internal Security

Internal security of India is one of the foremost duty of the central government. There are many State and non-state actors that present challenges to the internal security of India. In this section, we are going to  provide all the updates on the same.

Internal Security updates and news

• The long battle against the extremists

  Synopsis: The long battle against Maoists is not providing the optimum results. Unusual wars are not fought just on the ground; They also require proper soft strategy.

  Contents

  • 1 Introduction 
  • 2 Reasons for prolonged extremist attacks since Independence:
  • 3 The present situation of extremism:
  • 4 Conclusion 

  Introduction 

  1. 22 jawans martyred on the April 3 encounter between security forces and the Maoists in Sukma.
  2. Also, one CoBRA jawan, Rakeshwar Singh Minhas held hostage by the extremists.
  3. After efforts from officials and non-officials, Maoists agreed to free him. A team of local people went deep into the forest area succeeded in releasing the jawan after discussion.
  4. The extremists wanted to portray themselves as not all violent and compassionate. Thus, they agreed to release the jawan.

  Reasons for prolonged extremist attacks since Independence:

  The frequency of attacks may vary depending upon the preparation of the Maoists and their strength of retaliation. But, the strategies of the Maoists have not really changed much. So, the analysts are confused about how Maoists are able to attack the security forces easily.

  • Firstly, they spread misinformation about the numbers of Maoists in a village and their location. Communication tools in government forces have not improved over the years. 
    • Horrible incidents like the recent one in Chhattisgarh happens because of a lack of intelligence and planning on the part of the government. 
  • Secondly, the fact that many states cannot give full attention to the task of eliminating extremism. This works to the advantage of Maoists.
  • Thirdly, governments often deploy more policemen and improve technology. But this has an effect only for a short period of time. 
  • Fourthly, the rapid economic development of the region might pull people away from extremist ideology. The state and central governments involved have taken the appeal seriously and implemented numerous development schemes in these areas.
    • However, this has helped only partially. Civil servants who have served in Andhra Pradesh say a dedicated leadership at the district and ground levels helped in transformation.
    • The inclusion of local youth into the security forces helps in fighting the extremists. For example, the Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh has controlled Extremist forces well.
    • Over-dependence on Central forces is counterproductive. 
  • Fifthly, economic scarcity and religious fundamentalism often capture the thinking processes of many in the region. The passion attached to the Maoists is therefore difficult to remove. Shared ideology and resources by like-minded groups lift their abilities.

  The present situation of extremism:

  • Unless the extremists face the depletion of resources and manpower, they are not going to accept everlasting peace. But that situation is not happening in the immediate future.
  • But if consider the situation for a decade, then there is a chance for gradual migration of younger extremists to other parts of the country. They might move for better living conditions, job opportunities, etc. This migration might start gradually but could increase over the next few decades. This will weaken the extremists in the long run.

  Conclusion 

  • The objective of the extremist attacks is to give a warning to the government that it has no option but to grant all the demands of the extremists. But they fail to understand that their demands are extremist in nature, which no constitutionally elected establishment will ever grant.

  Source: The Hindu

• Centre Extends Ceasefire Agreements with Naga groups

  What is the News?

  The Central Government extends the ceasefire agreement with three insurgent Naga groups of Nagaland for one more year i.e. till April 2022.

  Which are those three insurgent groups of Nagaland?

  The ceasefire agreement is in operation between the Centre and the three insurgent groups of Nagaland namely:

  • National Socialist Council of Nagaland-NK (NSCN/NK)
  • National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN/R) and
  • National Socialist Council of Nagaland-K-Khango (NSCN/K-Khango).

  National Socialist Council of Nagaland — Isak-Muivah(NSCN-IM):

  • The Peace negotiations with NSCN-IM have been on since 1997 when the group signed the ceasefire agreement with the central government for the first time.
  • In 2015, the group signed a Framework Agreement in the presence of the Prime Minister to find a permanent solution.
  • The agreement recognised the uniqueness of the Naga history and culture of Nagaland.
  • However, the talks with the NSCN-IM seem to be heading nowhere presently. The group has been insisting on a separate Naga flag and constitution.

  National Socialist Council of Nagaland—Khaplang(NSCN-K)

  • The NSCN-K had signed a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 2001. However,  it unilaterally abrogated it in 2015 when the group attacked a military convoy in Manipur in 2015 killing 18 soldiers.
  • In December 2020, the NSCN-K had again announced a ceasefire and said that the outfit has contacted the central government to initiate a peace dialogue.

  Source: PIB

   

• Flaws in India’s Internal Security Management

  Synopsis:The recent attack in tekulgada area in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh exposed flaws in India’s internal security management. Hence, there is a need to bring robust reforms in the security architecture that can prevent attacks by Left Wing Extremists in the future. 

  Contents

  • 1 Background:
  • 2 About Left Wing Extremism:
  • 3 Rationale behind origin and sustenance of LWE:
  • 4 Flaws in Internal Security Management:
  • 5 Way Forward:

  Background:

  • Recently a combing operation by local police and central police forces in the Bastar region turned into a grave Maoist attack. The attack took lives of around 22 security personnel while several others got wounded.
    • Combing operations involves searching a place or an area very carefully in order to find something.
    • The operation was carried on to find a local Maoist leader (Madvi Hidma) and his syndicates.
  • This has highlighted the flaws in India’s internal security management especially in the case of Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

  About Left Wing Extremism:

  • LWE or Naxal-Maoist insurgency is prevalent in India for decades in the region denoted by the red corridor. The corridor includes states from eastern, southern, and central India.
  • The Maoists aim to capture State power through a combination of armed insurgency, mass mobilization, and strategic alliances.
  • It is one of the 3 major internal security challenges. The other two being 
    • a proxy war and terrorism in Kashmir, 
    • sub-national separatist movements in the Northeast
  • The government has been able to contain these but little progress is achieved in the domain of combating Left Wing Extremism (LWE).
  • Around 15,000 lives have been lost due to LWE violence over the last three decades.  

  Rationale behind origin and sustenance of LWE:

  • First, the poor nature of governance has resulted in the persistent neglect of tribal populations in LWE regions. This has devoid them of the fruits of development.
  • Second, an oppressive/exploitative hierarchy of the state and society has pushed the residents in these regions to the margins of survival.

  Flaws in Internal Security Management:

  • Operational Challenges:
    • Leadership failure was seen in recent attacks. Security personnel left their dead comrades in the grip of Maoists rather than trying to regroup and attack the Maoists. 
    • Lacunae in the intelligence network were also unearthed as the security personnel got trapped in the plan of Maoists.
    • Use of large and diverse forces (CAPF, COBRA commandos, local police) adversely impacted the covert nature of the operation. It made detection easier.
  • Strategic Challenges:
    • There has been no meaningful policy review of the IS (internal security) challenge. However, LWE was recognized as the most important security challenge by the PM in 2005.
    • Further, there has been ignorance of Kargil review committee (1999) recommendations that show a deficiency in higher IS management.
      • The committee desired the restructuring of command, control, and leadership functions of paramilitary forces in situations of proxy war and large-scale terrorism.
      • Till date, many police officers inducted into leadership positions into paramilitary forces. They have good training to maintain law and order. However, they lack the skill set to manage an insurgent operation which results in grave tragedies like the recent Bastar attack.

  Way Forward:

  • Must carry out a detailed investigation to find out the real reason behind the tragedy.
  • There is a need to enhance cooperation between center and state government in the security domain. This will prevent such grave attacks in the future.
  • The political leadership of the country must realize its responsibility towards internal security challenges. They must inculcate a will to revamp the capacity of security personnel and usher in the desired reforms.

  Source: Indian Express 

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  [Answered] Discuss the threat of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) to India. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.

• Tarrem attack – How Maoists Still Manage to Attack Security Forces?

  Synopsis: The tarrem attack points out that the declining Maoists remain a strong military threat.

  Introduction 

  Over 20 paramilitary personnel died in an encounter with the Maoists in the Tarrem area near Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district. There is a long-running conflict in this remote tribal region. 

  • Reports point out a Maoist surprise attack on the paramilitary personnel.
  • Forces were performing search operations in Maoist strongholds. The timing of these search operations matches with the Maoists’ attempt to disrupt the construction of a road near Silger-Jagargunda.

  How has the Maoist presence evolved over the years in the impacted area?

  The Maoist insurgency first began as the Naxalite movement in the 1970s and then intensified after 2004. Later two prominent insurgent groups merged together and this remains a mindless guerrilla-driven militant movement. 

  Security forces managed to clear the majority of the areas of the Maoists. The majority of their leaders are either killed or caught. However, their stronghold in the south Bastar is still intact. It is due to the following reasons:

  1. First, there is a lack of road and telecommunications infrastructure in these remote areas. Maoists are able to use the terrain to their advantage.
  2. Second, These groups still manage to recruit people from these remote areas. People living in these tribal areas either untouched by welfare or there are discontents due to state repression.
  3. Third, Maoists also know that state crackdown after the violence provides them with more recruits. Thus, violence is useful for them.

  Suggestions 

  • The State also knows that the route to violence provides Maoists with new supporters. Thus, we require methods other than the crackdown.
  • Before Tarrem attacks came right after a recent peace march held by civil society activists. They were asking for a dialogue between the Maoists and the Chhattisgarh government to end the violence. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal the violence has claimed more than 10,000 lives since 2000 alone.
  • Thus, the Civil Society’s call for peace should not be ignored. This is the only way for lasting peace in the region.

  Source: click here

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  Left Wing Extremism in India – Explained, Pointwise

• Left Wing Extremism in India – Explained, Pointwise

  Contents

  • 1 Introduction:
  • 2 Current Scenario:
  • 3 Prevalence of Maoism in India
  • 4 About Maoism
  • 5 Causes behind sustenance of Left Wing Extremism in India:
  • 6 Impacts of rising Left-Wing Extremism in India:
  • 7 Steps taken to contain Left Wing Extremism in India
  • 8 Issues in Government Measures: 
  • 9 Suggestions to tackle Left Wing Extremism
  • 10 Conclusion

  Introduction:

  Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is one of the biggest security challenges for India for almost 5 decades. Many measures on twin fronts of development and security have been taken that reduced the spread of LWE. However, measures are not yet successful to completely eliminate this menace. 

  Recently, security forces again faced one of the biggest Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh. This calls for strict government measures towards the total elimination of Left Wing Extremism in India.   

  Current Scenario:

  • Around 22 Jawans of Security forces Martyred and 31 injured in a deadly encounter with Naxals on sukma-bijapur border on 3rd April 2021. 
  • The attack involved the use of modern weapons like Lightweight machine guns and Rocket launchers that enhanced the casualties.
  • The Maoist PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army) Battalion led the attack under the leadership of Maoist Madvi Hidma.  

  Prevalence of Maoism in India

  • Left wing extremism (LWE) or Naxal Attacks or Maoist attacks have been present in India for 5 decades. According to a conservative estimate, about 15,000 lives have been lost in Naxal-led violence during the last 25 years. 
  • It began around the naxalbari area of West Bengal in the 1960s. The movement was led by Charu Mazumdar. 
  • The death of Charu Mazumdar in 1972 followed a split in the movement and gave an impression that it was about to end. However, the People’s War group was formed in Andhra Pradesh in 1980 and sustained the movement.
  • Some setbacks were received in the 1990s and early 2000s but the movement revived again in 2004. This happened as the People’s War and the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) merged to form CPI (Maoist).
  • Since then it is present in some states of central, eastern, and southern India as shown by the Red Corridor (region having high LWE).
  • As of February 2019, 90 districts across 11 states are affected by extremism.

  About Maoism

  • It is a form of communism developed by Mao Tse Tung. 
  • It is a doctrine to capture State power through a combination of an armed insurgency, mass mobilization, and strategic alliances. 
  • Maoists want to bring about a New Democratic Revolution in India as part of the world proletarian revolution.
  • They use violence and believe in adopting the military line to capture power.
  • These extremists attack the symbols of the country’s power such as the police, schools, and other government institutions.

  Causes behind sustenance of Left Wing Extremism in India:

  • Tribal discontent: The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 deprives tribals of the authority to use forest produce.
    • Further, there has been a huge displacement of the tribal population in the Naxalism-affected states due to development projects, mining operations, and other reasons. 
    • It is apprehended that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Bill,2021 will bring more misery to the tribals.
  • Gullible Targets: A huge chunk of the tribal population lives below the poverty line. They are also devoid of basic education and health facilities. Thus, Maoists are easily able to persuade them by offering to take up monetary incentives and a better future.
  • Absence of strong technical intelligence: There is poor technical intelligence when it comes to tackling Naxalism. For instance, some villages are not yet connected properly with any communication network which hinders action against Naxalites.
    • According to some reports, the recent attack on security forces was also a result of wrong intelligence. The source of Intelligence is still the method of phone tapping the conversation of Maoists. They are aware of the tapping and sometimes lure security forces into a trap by providing wrong information.
  • No Follow-Up from the administration: It is seen that even after the police take hold of a region, the administration fails to provide essential services to the people of that region.
  • Police Atrocities: The tribals are sometimes harassed by the security forces in the mistaken belief that they may be Maoists. Such instances create hatred against security forces and boost recruitment in Maoist camps.
  • Ideological Boost: Mao was able to oust the Chinese government and establish communism in China. To date, Communists are ruling the country, it gives a strong ideological boost to Maoist movements across the world.
  • Support from other actors: They are connected to various internal and external insurgent groups that provide them weapons, shelter, and finance. For instance, as per few reports, CPI Maoists may have links with foreign Maoist organizations in the Philippines, Turkey, etc.

  Impacts of rising Left-Wing Extremism in India:

  • Hampering Democracy: They threaten the locals before the conduct of elections and prevent them from voting. It violates the principle of participative democracy.
    • They resort to violence through their guerrilla tactics and attempt to set up their own government in the local villages.
  • Infrastructural Damage: They destroy the roads, transport system, and government resources. Thereby they create hindrance in governance and last mile connectivity.
  • Illegal Activities: They resort to extortion, abduction of important personalities like Politicians, bureaucrats, police, etc. They are also engaged in drug trafficking cartels.
  • Undermines Credibility of Government: The survival of LWE shows a failure of governance thereby eroding the faith of masses in governance set up and impacting the unity of the nation.
  • Isolating Tribal Villages: These extremist movements have disconnected several tribal villages from the national mainstream. 
  • Security threats: Extremism causes threats to the security of the nation and assets of the country. It threatens the unity and diversity of the nation. Radicalization of youth poses a threat to internal security. It has impacted the development of the affected region leading to many people still living in poverty.

  Steps taken to contain Left Wing Extremism in India

  • A dedicated left-wing extremism division was established in 2006 under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It aimed to effectively address the LWE insurgency in a holistic manner.
  • CPI (Maoist) Party is designated as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. This gives the forces greater power and autonomy to deal with Maoists.
  • A National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE problem has been put in place that envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving
    • Security-related measures –  Providing Central Armed Police Forces battalions, training, funds for modernization of State police forces, equipment & arms, sharing of intelligence, etc. 
    • Developmental interventions – construction of roads, strengthening of communications network, installation of mobile towers, improving the network of banks, post offices, health and education facilities, etc.
  • Operation ‘SAMADHAN’ is the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)’s initiative to deal with the Naxal problem. The acronym SAMADHAN stands for Smart leadership, Aggressive strategy, Motivation and training, Actionable Intelligence, Dashboard Based KPIs (key performance indicators) and KRAs (key result areas), harnessing technology, action plan for each theater, and No access to financing.

  Issues in Government Measures: 

  • Intelligence inputs: The traditional method of gathering intelligence through police receivers placed on hills is not delivering optimum results. The recent April attack exposed this lacuna as maoists deliberately gave false information over it.
  • Large troop operations: It is believed that larger forces give better protection but the recent attack exposed their vulnerability. The 1000 personnel movement wasn’t able to maneuver secretly and hence exposed themselves to the maoist. 
  • Existence of Trust Deficit: The common masses don’t trust the forces/administrative authorities due to varied cultures and external appearance. This automatically reduces the impact of tribal friendly measures.  
  • Lacunas in protecting state informers: The people who give information to security forces are often tortured and killed by maoists. The state has not done enough to protect them.
  • Approach in Tackling: More emphasis is placed on looking at LWE as a security problem. However, in reality, it is more of a socio-economic and political issue.
  • Lack of Conviction: Some local politicians covertly support the conduct of naxals that impairs the intensity of anti LWE operations. 

  Suggestions to tackle Left Wing Extremism

  • Firstly, the government of India and the Maoists should try to sign Peace agreements that would be a win-win situation for all. In this regard, learnings from Mizo Accord can be taken that have delivered desired results.
  • Secondly, Ensure all-round development of the Naxal-affected areas. It would involve strengthening the rights of local communities, improving governance, and augmenting public perception management.
  • Thirdly, employ more local people in the administrative process which can act as a bridge to curtail the trust deficit. Further support of civil society can be taken for awaring tribals. 
    • Eg- A peace march was organised in March 2021 where about 150 tribals from Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Telangana participated under the slogan of ‘Bastar maange hinsa se azadi’.
  • Fourthly, the forces should be used in small groups for maintaining greater efficiency. For instance, one of the most successful operations (the Greyhounds) involved the use of small teams that operate on solid human intelligence.
  • Fifthly, policy measures that provide indirect benefits should be implemented with due care. For instance, effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act can ensure better control of local communities over Minor Forest Produce. This can reduce their attraction towards LWE.  

  Conclusion

  Through a holistic approach focusing on development and security-related interventions, the LWE problem can be successfully tackled. Civil society and the media should build pressure on the Maoists to give up on violence and join the mainstream. 

• ‘Smart walls’ for Indian borders

  Synopsis: Concept of smart walls has been introduced in the US. India should also explore the possibilities of using smart walls to protect borders. 

  Syllabus – GS- 3 – Internal Security – Border management

  Introduction 

  US president has stopped the construction of a “border wall” between the U.S. and Mexico. However, a new ‘smart’ wall will be placed on the borders, as an alternative. 

  The concept of a smart wall is not new. It was proposed under Trump administration to complement the physical barriers on the border.  

  What is a smart wall? 

  A ‘smart’ wall would use advanced surveillance technology instead of the physical wall and armed patrols.  

  It would make use of the following technologies to detect and stop border infiltration:  

  • For surveillance on the border, it would use radar satellites, computer-equipped border-control vehicles, control sensors, and underground sensors.
  • Thermal imaging would be added for detection.

  This technology is so precise that it can distinguish between animals, humans, and vehicles. Then, it will send updates to the forces.  

  Is this technology useful in India? 

  1. India is sharing a border with a difficult neighborhood. It is facing challenges of terrorists and smugglers infiltrating into the country. But due to the rugged topography on the borders, erection of fences or any physical structures have not been successful.  
  2. Smart walls can be useful as their systems can be easily used on rugged topographies. Moreover, these technologies are cost-effective, less harmful to the environment, and require a lesser amount of land.  
  3. Even if it is not feasible to cover all our borders under this technology, it can strengthen over existing border security infrastructure.  

  Thus, with the increasing tensions on the border of India, exploring such technologies would strengthen India’s security on borders.  

• Issue of radicalisation in India

  News: India and Australia recently decided to step up their cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism including countering radicalisation and violent extremism, combating the financing of terrorism, preventing exploitation of the internet for terrorism and violent extremism.

  Radicalisation in India:

  • Radicalisation: It is associated with the political interpretation of religion and the defence, by violent means, of a religious identity perceived to be under attack.
  • Radicalisation of youth by ISIS: In early 2020 the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) published an India-centric propaganda material called Voice of Hind.
  • Left-Wing Extremism (LWE): instances of Internet-facilitated indoctrination, active radicalisation in multiple states and Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) have grown despite the continued government intervention.
  • Right-wing extremism: increased incidents of mob lynching, cow vigilantism and the string of assassinations of rationalists such as Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and Gauri Lankesh point towards rising extremism in the right-wing cadres.

  Reasons for growing Radicalisation in society:

  • Socio-Economic Factors: Socio-economic factors like poverty, social exclusion, marginalisation and discrimination, limited education and employment etc. is a cause of growing radicalisation. o The poor and illiterate provides a fertile ground for radical agencies for recruitment.
  • Political Factors: Various political factors including weak and non-participatory political systems lacking good governance and regard for civil society are leading to people turning towards radicalisation. o Apathy of government, authoritarian tendencies lead to shattering of hopes and sense of anger against the government and established regime.
    • • For example, Naxalism was fuelled by the sense of apathy of local politicians against the local people.
  • Social media: Social media provides virtual participation and a platform for like-minded extremist views, accelerating the process of radicalisation. o Internet is used by terrorists as an effective tool for radicalisation and terror financing.
    • • Terror groups use the internet to advocate the use of violence to further a religious, ideological or political cause.
      • For example, modus operandi of ISIS is spreading terror through local proxies and social media messaging.
  • Displacement: Often development is accompanied by displacement. People are displaced due to land acquisition but often are not adequately compensated. o This led to the development of feelings of injustice and anger against the state, often leading to tilt towards radicalisation. for example, Naxalism.
  • Religious intolerance: Rising religious intolerance, hate crimes, mob lynching are further leading to radicalisation. Feeling hatred and intolerance, against a section of people are turning them towards radicalisation.
  • Illegal migration: Porous borders especially towards West Bengal and the North Eastern States have led to an influx of thousands of Bangladeshis migrants which has increased tensions among ethnic communities. e.g., Kokrajhar riots of Assam, Dimapur lynching of a rape accused.
  • Feed on vulnerabilities: for example, the threat of radicalisation during peoples protest such as anti CAA, farmers protest.

  Consequences of radicalisation:

  • Economic costs: A sense of fear reduces economic investment and hinders economic progress of a country. Loss of trade and access to markets have a negative impact on people’s livelihoods. o E.g., youth in Kashmir being radicalised leading to the low economic development of the area.
  • Social costs: Using resources for conflict-related purposes means that public expenditures on social services decrease. This impact spending on social causes like education, health etc.
  • Impact on children: Children face particular vulnerabilities as a result of armed violence such as orphanhood, psychological damage. They also face a threat of recruitment as young soldiers.
    • • These factors often lead to a disruption to education, and thereby the reduction of a child’s capacity to recover from poverty.
  • Impact on women: Women are affected in many ways in the event of violence. Sexual violence, recruitment as combatants and an expanded economic/household role, which is often transferred onto young girls. for example, Yazidi women suffered under ISIS.

  Steps to tackle radicalisation:

  • Strengthening Institutions: Educational and political institutions should be strengthened at ground level so that people of the state feel empowered.
    • • Also, intelligence agencies, law enforcement agencies and Judicial Courts need to act in unison on this matter.
      • A consistent counter radical strategy is required to tackle radicalism.
  • Employment: Enough number of job opportunities should be provided to people to decrease their chances of joining any radical organization.
  • De-radicalisation: It is necessary to de-radicalise people. There is a need to ensure that people who have been de-radicalised feeling safe and secure in the country.
  • Social development: The cornerstone for radicalisation is poverty, deprivation and isolation and standard education opportunities.
    • • These need to be addressed by the government and policies to be formulated for inclusive participation and facilitation of all means for their development.

  • Regulation of internet: There is a need to draw guidelines to regulate the internet. o This must be done without damaging the privacy of an individual.
    • • An effort is needed to place an effective mechanism to trace the activity of radical groups.
  • Regulation of social media: Social media to be regulated to draw a legalized guide lines to regulate without contradicting the privacy of an individual.
  • Schemes: Initiatives like UDAAN and NAI MANZIL must be inclusive in nature and drag youth from all sections.
  • Nehru Yuva Kendras to be given impetus in such areas to involve youth in all capacity, cultural and sports activities so there are less chances for them to get influenced from such ideological goals.
  • Community model: The success of Kerala and Maharashtra programmes of deradicalization indicates how community-based programmes may work in vulnerable states.
    • • The disaffected youth with no real job prospects and limited futures are vulnerable.

  Tackling Radicalisation requires policymakers and practitioners to appreciate the unique nature of radical ideologies, many of them seeking the wholesale destruction of civic order as opposed to its reform or even restructuring. The war on terror is to be countered more in the human mind and requires different skills and tactics. There are links between extremism, social exclusion and radicalisation. Sociological interventions to prevent or counter-extremist behaviours are needed.

• The right lessons from Pulwama and Balakot

  Context: Recently, Pakistan’s Opposition MP, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, alleged that the PTI government released the captured Indian fighter pilot, Abhinandan Varthaman due to fear of an imminent missile strike from India.

  Background

  • On 14 February 2019, the suicide car bomb blast in Pulwama led to the death of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel.
  • Avenging this, the Indian Air Force (IAF) targeted a seminary at Balakot in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan what is known as Balakot strike.
  • The Pakistan Air Force attempted its counter attack the next day morning in Jammu and Kashmir, and in the ensuing aerial combat, Wg. Cdr. Abhinandan was captured by the Pakistan military.
  • Later, Wg. Cdr. Abhinandan was released by Pakistan as a peace gesture.

  What are the lessons from Pulwama and Balakot?

  Pulwama attack

  • Even, after the National Investigation Agency filed a 13,800-page charge sheet in August certain Questions have not been answered satisfactorily.
  • The responsibility for the intelligence failure, violation of standard operating procedures by security forces and the possible involvement of disgraced Jammu and Kashmir police officer, Davinder Singh, remain unexamined.

  Balakot Strike:

  • The performance of the IAF has been seen with scepticism in most western capitals. For example, the IAF claims to have shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet was not accepted.
  • There were many questions damaging the professional image of IAF such as whether IAF were able to strike the designated targets, asking for providing proof of the destruction caused by IAF etc.
  • For, all the questions and scepticism raised, the IAF didn’t have a convincing answer.
  • Also, the fact remains that the IAF has lost a fighter aircraft and the pilot ended in Pakistani custody. That day, the IAF also shot down its own helicopter in friendly fire, close to Srinagar.
  • The IAF has behaved in a partisan manner by preventing any media reportage of the incident before the Lok Sabha elections were over.
  • In a healthy democracy, apolitical armed forces are supposed to follow the elected government’s lawful orders but do not work to further the partisan aims of the ruling party.
  • This would set a wrong precedent for the armed forces and its senior leadership unless corrected.
  • Also, neither the surgical strike of 2016 nor the Balakot air strike have infused deterrence in the Kashmiri hinterland or on the LoC, as evident from the senior Indian Army officers regularly claiming that Pakistan has hundreds of militants ready to be pushed across the Line of Control (LoC) at launchpads.
  • In recent years, the institutions like Parliament, the judiciary and the media has earned a lot of attention, while the scholars have been shy of making enquiries about the conduct of the armed forces, an institution even more critical to the health of Indian democracy.

  State, Non-State Actors and Security

• Operation Thunder 2020

  News: India Customs intercepted an 18-tonne shipment of red sandalwood destined for the United Arab Emirates, during “Operation Thunder 2020”.

  Facts:

  • Operation Thunder: It is coordinated by the INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization(WCO) involving law enforcement agencies in 103 countries against environmental crime.

  Additional Facts:

  • World Customs Organization (WCO): It is an independent intergovernmental body established in 1952 to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
  • International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL): It is an intergovernmental organization established in 1923 with the aim to facilitate worldwide police cooperation and crime control in around 194 countries.Headquarters: Lyon, France.

  COVAX program

• FCRA 2010 to 2020: Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act evolution

  In News: Recently, Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2020 was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Bill amends the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

  What is FCRA?

  • Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act: It is an act of Parliament enacted in 1976 and amended in 2010 to regulate foreign donations and to ensure that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security.
  • Coverage: It is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations.
  • Who cannot receive foreign donations?
    • Members of the legislature and political parties, government officials, judges and media persons are prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution.
    • However, in 2017 the FCRA was amended through the Finance Bill to allow political parties to receive funds from the Indian subsidiary of a foreign company or a foreign company in which an Indian holds 50% or more shares.
  • Registration: It is mandatory for all such NGOs to register themselves under the FCRA. The registration is initially valid for five years and it can be renewed subsequently if they comply with all norms.
  • Purpose of Foreign contribution: Registered associations can receive foreign contributions for social, educational, religious, economic and cultural purposes. Filing of annual returns on the lines of Income Tax is compulsory.
  • Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) New Rules:
    • In 2015, the MHA notified new rules which required NGOs to give an undertaking that the acceptance of foreign funds is not likely to prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India or impact friendly relations with any foreign state and does not disrupt communal harmony.
    • It also said all such NGOs would have to operate accounts in either nationalised or private banks which have core banking facilities to allow security agencies access on a real time basis.

  Key provisions of Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2020:

  • Prohibition to accept foreign contribution:
    • Include certain public servants in the prohibited category for accepting foreign contribution: These include: election candidates, editor or publisher of a newspaper, judges, government servants, members of any legislature, and political parties.
    • The Bill adds public servants to this list. Public servant includes any person who is in service or pay of the government, or remunerated by the government for the performance of any public duty.
  • Transfer of foreign contribution: Under the Act, foreign contribution cannot be transferred to any other person unless such person is also registered to accept foreign contribution.
  • FCRA account: The Bill states that foreign contribution must be received only in an account designated by the bank as FCRA account in such branches of the State Bank of India, New Delhi. No funds other than the foreign contribution should be received or deposited in this account.
  • Definition of persons: The FCRA 2010 allows transfer of foreign contributions to persons registered to accept foreign contributions. The term ‘person’ under the Bill includes an individual, an association, or a registered company.
  • Regulation: The Act states that a person may accept foreign contribution if they have obtained a certificate of registration from central government or obtained prior permission from the government to accept foreign contribution. The bill makes Aadhaar mandatory for registration.
  • Restriction in utilisation of foreign contribution: The Bill gives government powers to stop utilisation of foreign funds by an organisation through a “summary enquiry”.
  • Reduction in use of foreign contribution for administrative purposes: The bill decreases administrative expenses through foreign funds by an organisation to 20% from 50% earlier.
  • Surrender of certificate: The Bill allows the central government to permit a person to surrender their registration certificate.

  Need for such amendments:

  • To monitor Misuse of funds: In Parliament, the government alleged that foreign money was being used for religious conversions. For instance, in 2017, the government barred American Christian charity, Compassion International.
  • To prevent loss to the GDP: An official report quantifying the GDP losses allegedly caused by environmental NGOs was prepared during NPA period, indicating a foreign conspiracy against India.
  • To enhance transparency and accountability: The annual inflow of foreign contribution has almost doubled between the years 2010 and 2019, but many recipients of foreign contribution have not utilised the same for the purpose for which they were registered or granted prior permission under the said Act.
  • To regulate NGO’s: Many persons were not adhering to statutory compliances such as submission of annual returns and maintenance of proper accounts.