Essays

"Millions of innocent people anil thousands of cops have lost their lives, fighting terrorism but the thirst for human blood of the creators and fumigators of terrorists has not been quenched so far."

Terrorism has now become a worldwide phenomenon. Since independence, India has been facing the problem terrorism in different parts of the country. Terrorism means an armed violent movement directed against government as well as non- government targets, involving pre-meditated attacks with arms, ammunition and explosives against civilians, and resorting to intimidation tactics such as hostage- taking and hijacking, but not seeking territorial control. Terrorism can also be defined as an organized way of intimidation and violence especially for political purpose. Political frustration. Political necessities. Religious and Racial Fanaticism and personal political interests are some of the main causes of Terrorism. Terrorists are encouraged by the vested interest of some countries, external powers, to create instability in other countries. Terrorists indulge in looting , kidnapping, murder shooting, arson and other unlawful activities to serve their very purpose of creating instable facilities or deter the innocents so that either they support them or don' t support the legal Government machinery.

India has faced exclusively terrorist movements in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, bordering Pakistan, terrorist movements in the northeast, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh; in Bihar, bordering Nepal; and in certain interior States like Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa that do not have international borders.

 India has also faced terrorism of an ephemeral nature, which sprang suddenly due to religious anger against either the government or the majority Hindu community or both and petered out subsequently. For example the explosions in Mumbai on March 12.1993 which killed about 250 civilians, and the simultaneous explosions in Coimbatore. Tamil Nadu, in February 1998. Tamil Nadu has also faced the fallout of terrorism promoted by LITE elements on its political rivals living in the State and the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991.

 India had also faced, for some years, Hindu sectarian terrorism in the form of the Anand Marg, which, in its motivation and irrationality, resembled to some extent the Aum Shinrikiyo of Japan. The Marg, with its emphasis on meditation, special religious and spiritual practices and use of violence against its detractors, had as many followers in foreign countries as it had in India. Its over-ground activities have petered out since 1995.

 Political Causes:

In Assam and Tripura the political factors that led to insurgency-cum-terrors included the failure of the government to control large-scale illegal immigration Muslims from Bangladesh.

 Economic Causes :

In Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar, there are economy factors that include the absence of land reforms, rural unemployment, exploitation landless laborers by landlords etc. These economic grievances and perceptions gross social injustice have given rise to ideological terrorist groups such as the vane Marxist/Maoist groups operating under different names. Ethnic Causes: Mainly seen in Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur due to feelings often separateness.

Religious Causes:

In Punjab, some Sikh elements belonging to different organisations took terrorism to demand the creation of an independent state called Khalistan for the Ski In J & K, Muslims belonging to different organisations took to terrorism conflicting objectives. Some terrorist groups such as the Jammu & Kashmir Liberal! Front, want independence for the state, including all the territory presently partfl India, Pakistan and China. Others, such as the Hizbul Mujahideen, want India's. K State to be merged with Pakistan, While those who want independence, project their struggle as a separatist one, those who want merger with Pakistan project it as a religious struggle.

There have also been sporadic acts of religious terrorism in other parts of India- These are either due to feelings of anger amongst sections of the Muslim youth ova the government's perceived failure to safeguard their lives and interests or Pakistan's attempts to cause religious polarisation.

The maximum number of terrorist incidents and deaths of innocent civility have occurred due to religious terrorism. While the intensity of the violence caused) terrorism of a non-religious nature can be rated as low or medium, which of religion terrorism has been high or very high. It has involved the indiscriminate use ( sophisticated Improvised Explosive Devices, suicide bombers, the killing of civilian belonging to the majority community with small weapons and resorting to method such as hijacking, hostage-taking, blowing up of aircraft through IEDs, etc.

 All terrorist groups, religious as well as non-religious have resorted kidnapping hostages for ransom and for achieving other demands. The non-religion terrorist groups have targeted only Indians, whereas the religious terrorist groups target Indians as well as foreigners. The Khalistan Commando Force, a Sikh terrorist group, kidnapped a Romanian diplomat in New Delhi in 1991. The JKLF kidnapped some Israeli tourists in J&K in 1992. HUM. under the name AlFaran, kidnapped five Western tourists in 1995 and is believed to have killed four of them. An American managed to escape. Sheikh Omar, under trial for the kidnap and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in Karachi in January last year, had earlier kidnapped some western tourists near Delhi. They were subsequently freed by the Police.

Non-religious terrorist groups in India have not carried out any act of terrorism outside Indian territory. Of the religious terrorist groups, a Sikh organization blew up an Air India plane off the Irish coast and unsuccessfully tried to blow up another plane in Tokyo the same day, plotted to kill 1 then Prime Minister Raj iv Gandhi during his visit to the US in June 1985 (the plot was foiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation), attacked the Indian ambassador in Bucharest, Romania, in October 1991 and carried out a number of attacks on pro-government members of the Sikh diaspora abroad. The JKLF kidnapped and killed an Indian diplomat in Birmingham, England, in 1984. In the 1970s, the Anand Marg had indulged in acts of terrorism in foreign countries.

The Sikh and the indigenous Kashmiri groups projected their objectives as confined to their respective State, but the Pakistani pan-Islamic terrorist groups project their aim as extending to the whole of South Asia — namely the 'liberation' of Muslims in India and the ultimate formation of an Islamic Caliphate consisting of the 'Muslim homelands' of India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

 The Sikh terrorist groups demanded an independent nation on the ground that Sikhs constituted a separate community and could not progress as fast as they wanted to in a Hindu-dominated country. They did not deride Hinduism and other non-Sikh religions. Nor did they call for the eradication of Hindu influences from their religion. The indigenous Kashmiri organisations, too, follow a similar policy. But the Pakistani pan-Islamic jihadi organization ridicule and condemn Hinduism and other religions and call for the eradication of what they describe as the corrupting influence of Hinduism on Islam as practiced in South Asia.

Religious as well as non-religious terrorist groups have external links with like- minded terrorist groups in other countries. The link between the Marxist groups of India with Maoist groups of Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh; the link between the indigenous Kashmir; organisations with the religious, fundamentalist and jihadi organisations of Pakistan; the link between organisations such as the Students Islamic Movement of India with jihadi elements in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia; and the link between the Pakistani pan-Islamic j ihadi organisations operating in India with Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are well known.

Religious as well as non-religious terrorist groups draw moral supporting  material sustenance from the overseas diaspora. The Khaiistan movement  initially biome in the overseas Sikh community in the UK and Canada and spread Punjab in India. The indigenous Kashmiri organisations get material assistance the large number of migrants from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, called the Miipu who have settled in Western countries. The Marxist groups get support from Marxist elements in the overseas Indian community. 

The terrorism in India is mainly nurtured by external agencies especially Pakistan, in the bordering States of Kashmir and Punjab. In North-Eastern State ULFA and NSCN are also indulged in terrorist activities. Pakistan has been thereof source of arms, ammunition and training for religious terrorist groups operated Punjab in the past and operating presently in J&K and other parts of India. I^H training is given by the ISI, either directly or through religious fundamentalist and Islamic jihadi organisations, in various make shift camps located in PoK, the North areas (Gilgit and Baltistan) and the North-West Frontier Province.

Under U.S. pressure, President Musharraf has banned the activities of LET, JEM and LEJ in Sindh, Punjab, the NWFP and Baluchistan, but not in POK, the Northern Areas and the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas. The activities of HUM and HUJI which are closest to Pakistan’s military-intelligence establishment, have not been banned anywhere. 1

In a recent judgement against some Pakistani doctors accused of providing sanctuaries and medical assistance to AI-Qaeda members, the Pakistan; Supreme Court pointed out that the Pakistan government has not, till now, declared Al-Qaeda. A terrorist organization and banned its activities in Pakistan as required under the Anti- Terrorism Act.

Between 1989 and 1993, terrorism in J&K was mainly due to the activities of indigenous Kashmiri organisations. Since 1999, the Pakistani jihadi organisations I have taken over the leadership of the anti India movement and have been operating in Indian territory under the guise of Kashmiris. Out of the 46 suicide terrorism attacks ' reported since 1999, 44 have been made by Pakistanis belonging to these Jihadi organisations. The principal leaders of these organisations are Pakistani Punjabis and the majority of the arcades are Pakistani nationals. These Pakistani jihadi organisations project J & K as the gateway to India and say that after 'liberating' J&K from the control of the Hindus, they will 'liberate' the Muslims in other parts of India and set up two more independent 'homelands' for Muslims—one in north India and the other in South India. As part of this long-term aim, they have been setting up clandestine cells in other parts of India and have launched some major operations such as the attack inside the Red Fort in New Delhi in January 2001, the attack on the Indian Parliament in December, 2001, and the attack on Hindu worshippers in AksharDham Temple in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in September 2002.

 There have been a number of terrorist incidents in other parts of India such as the attack on the security guards outside the US consulate in Kolkata in January 2002, the four explosions in Mumbai in 2002-03. the latest on March 13, 2003, killed 12 innocent train passengers and the explosion in a Hindu religious place in Hyderabad last year.

Till now, AI-Qaeda's Arab members have not operated in Indian territory. Some Arabs were arrested in J&K during counter-terrorism operations, but they were members of Pakistani pan-Islamic j ihadi organisations and not of Al-Qaeda. However, HUM. HUJI, LET and JEM, the Pakistani jihadi organisations which are members of Bin Laden's IIP along with Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, have been responsible for most of the religious terrorist incidents in J & K and other places in India.

India has more than 140 million Muslims , the second largest Muslim community in the world after Indonesia. Only a very small section of the community has taken to terrorism due to various grievances and instigation by the ISI and Pakistan's religious, fundamentalist and jihadi organisations.   The overwhelming majority of Indian Muslims are loyal, law-abiding citizens. They Ivies not allowed their anger against the Indian government or the Hindus for any reason to drive them into the arms of terrorist organisations. India has the most modem, peaceful and forward-looking Muslim community in the world. It is important to note that when the US started its air strikes on Al-Qaeda and the Taliban training camps in Afghan territory on October 7,2001, there were demonstrations by Muslims in many parts of the world but there was hardly any demonstration in India. Even after the US-led coalition started its war on terrorism in Afghanistan, hundreds of MusIims from many countries went to Pakistan and Afghanistan to join the Taliban and AI Qaeda in their fight against the coalition troops. There were no Indian Muslims among them.

These factors show that Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda have had little impact on Use Muslim community in India. The Indian Muslims, including the aggrieved sections the Kashmins, have kept away from them.

The government of lndia believes that a genuine and well-functioning democracy, good governance, responsiveness to public grievances, effective policies and economic development are the best antidotes to terrorism. India has not allowed the intimidator violence of terrorism to come in the way of the electoral process. In 1990s, elections Here held in Punjab at the height of terrorist violence. Elections were held in J & K September last year despite instructions from the IS! to the Pakistani jihadis to disrupt the process. Foreign diplomatic missions in New Delhi were encouraged to send their observers to the State to satisfy themselves that the elections were free and fair. All of them have certified this. Elections to the Nagaland assembly were held recently. The government has not allowed terrorists to disrupt the economic development of the affected areas. Even at the height of terrorism, Punjab continued to but granary of India, producing a record wheat crop year after year. In J&K, the fa revenue due to decline in foreign tourists arrival Is being sought by encourage greater domestic tourism. In 1990s, when terrorists prevented the holding of examine in Srinagar, the government flew the students to Jammu at its cost to take examination.

The government t has announced many packages for the economic develop of the affected areas and trying to implement them despite the terrorist violence government has refused any kind of concessions to terrorists resorting to in timid tactics such as hijacking, hostage-taking, etc. The government has refused to hold with terrorists until they give up violence, but began to search for a political soil through talks once the terrorists give up violence.

 The government is maintaining an open mind to suggestions coming fro sections of J&K for improving the political and administrative set-up. It has reef appointed former home secretary N.N. Vohra to enter into a dialogue with all elected representatives of the State on their demand for greater autonomy.

India has been the victim of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism since 1950s. tot years, Pakistan's IS I had supported the insurgent/terrorist groups in India's not foreign and provided them sanctuaries, training, arms and ammunition in the Chitta Hill Tracts of the then East Pakistan. India's anxiety to stop this, played an important role in its assistance to the people of East Pakistan to liberate themselves. Since 1 the ISI has been providing sanctuaries, training, arms and ammunition in Pads  religious terrorist groups operating in Punjab, J&K and other parts of India. It is infiltrating the mercenaries of the Pakistani pan-Islamic jihadi organisations into! to promote cross-border terrorism. India has taken up this issue with the US since 1 and wants Pakistan declared a State sponsor of international terrorism under US and have punitive action taken against it. In 1993, the Clinton administration pi Pakistan on a watch list of suspected State sponsors of international terrorism for months and forced Nawaz Sharif who was then in power to sack Lieutenant Gea  Javed Nasir, then ISI's director-general, and other senior officers. This did noel any effect on the use of terrorism by the ISI. Since Nov. 9,1993, Pakistan's mile intelligence establishment has been collaborating with the US in taking action ag8 Al-Qaeda elements posing a threat to US nationals and interests. But it has notta any action against cross-border terrorism directed against India and to des terrorist infrastructure in PoK and the Northern Areas.

After the attack by LET and JEM on the Indian Parliament in Decembcr2 India mobilised and deployed its Army on the border in response to public for action against the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistani territory. In response appeals from the US, UK and other friendly governments, India refrained from India against Pakistan. Under US pressure, Pakistan banned LET and JEM, but not HUJI and HUM and arrested some of their leaders and cadres. They have since been released.

 US officials themselves admit Pakistan has not implemented its assurances that it would put a stop to cross-border terrorism in J&K. Despite this, the US is reluctant to act against Pakistan because of its cooperation in assisting the US in neutralizing AI-Qaeda elements who have taken shelter in Pakistan.

 India has made it clear that there will be no question of any talks with Pakistan on the normalization of bilateral relations till it stops cross-border terrorism, winds up the ten-on st infrastructure in its territory and gives up the use of terrorism as a weapon against India. India has also been greatly concerned over the use of Bangladesh territory by religious and non-religious terrorists operating against India. The non- religious terrorist groups continue to enjoy sanctuaries in the CHT. Of the religious terrorist organisations, HUJI has an active branch in Bangladesh. Some Al Queda elements who escaped into Pakistan from Afghanistan have found their way into Bangladesh where they have been given shelter by HUJI. There is active complicity between the ISI and its counterpart in Dhaka in this matter. The Bangladesh authorities have not been co-operating with India in taking effective action against the large-scale illegal immigration into India. However, keeping in view the otherwise good relations with Bangladesh, India has been trying to have these problems sorted out bilaterally at the political and diplomatic levels. But the progress so far has been disappointing.

 Global War against Terrorism:

The much talked about' Global war against Terrorism" is one of the most cruel jokes of present time. It is ironical that Pakistan, the epicenter of Global Terrorism, is the greatest ally of USA fighting Global Terrorism. India has regularly been drawing attention of the US and other countries to the atrocities committed by the terrorists, trained and funded by Pakistan but of no avail. Rightly said by someone 'Only the wearer knows where the shoepinches'. USA realised the danger of terrorism only when terrorists struck at its heart on 11th Sept. 2001 when twin towers of' World Trade Centre' New were reduced to debris by suicide squads of terrorists. USA, that boasted of its Super Power status. Military might and Intelligence, suddenly forced to realise its vulnerability. USA feared that its fortress was also not impregnable and therefore, wanted to eliminate the kingpin, the notorious dreaded Osamabin Laden and its Al-Queda. But President Bush couldn't identify the God-Father of all the mischief in the terrorist world. Gen. Pervez Mushrraf, instead joined hand with Mr. Musharraf to fight the terrorism globally. The removal of Osamabin Laden from Afganistan has not eliminated the threat of terrorists attack on USA. The American people even today are living under the long shadow of fear. The Military might) world's most powerful intelligence agency CIA could no longer eliminate the from the general American's mind. The tape of Osaamabin Laden released by  Zazira in Sept. 2003 has again threatened the USA Government of his determinate to teach a lesson to the US Government.

Every person entering USA is being frisked by the authorities through There have been thousand of instances when passengers are down loaded on state of suspicion. Once bitten, twice shy, they don't want to leave anything to chance. is that all cover the insecurity prevailed among the minds of Americans? The ambassador to India has time and again asserted that Global Terrorism will not( until the problem of Trans border Terrorism across India's borders is tackled.' crux of the story is that the USA is having double standard in dealing with terrorist and formulating its foreign policy to suit its interest. In the name of destruction WMD (Weapons of Mass Destructions), US destroyed the Iraq, ousted the Sade and till date, not even a trace of Biological, Chemical or Nuclear weapons has for Indian government again and again drew the attention of US' appeasement poll towards Pakistan. Appeasement of devilish elements can result in more un forest catastrophe.

India has to fight its own with the terrorism being funded and encouraged the neighboring countries. How can we expect that USA or Britain will fed Hi pinch of Terrorists attack in India? To look for support from either of them atom be a folly. Just like any other country, we have to empower ourselves, we have to take our problems in our own ways. Terrorism has to be dealt firmly with determinate efforts and indomitable political will with the full and all out support of all political parties and every citizen.

 Vocabulary

1. fumigate—cleanse thoroughly, treat. 2. intimidation—bullying, browbeating, coercion, u threatening. 3. fanaticism—zeal, zealotry, extremism, militancy. 4. indulge—pamper, spoil, coddle. S. insurgent—insurrectionary, mutinous, insubordinate. 6. ephemeral—transient, evanescent, fleeting. 7. assassination—killing, shooting, slaying. 8. grievances— complaint, injury, case. 9. maoist—card—carrying communist, party member, comrade. 10. ethnic—idolatrous, pagan, unchristian, non-Jewish. 11. sporadic—infrequent. occasional, uncommon. 12. improvised—spontaneous, unpremeditated. Improvised, 13. diaspora—the dispersion of the Jews after the Babylonian exile. 14. eradication— I I extermination, annihilation, elimination. 15. indigenous—domestic, autochthonous, original 16. sustenance—nourishment, food, nutrition. 17. Clandestine-furtive, secret, private, surreptitious. 18. overwhelming—conquering, subjugating, defeating, infiltrating 19. infiltrating—penetrating, ingoing, through, incoming. 20. refrained—chorus, under f song, theme, strain. 21. crux —support, foundation, justification, ground,