Essays

Terrorism has become a serious problem in the modern world. India has particularly been facing this menace for the last many years. Thousands of innocent men, women and children have been" killed by the terrorists in our country particularly in Kashmir.

Unfortunately, the world community has not taken much note of India's sufferings. America felt the heat of terrorism for the first time on2001 when the World Trade Centre Towers in New York and the Pentagon were attacked.

Thereafter, America declared global war against terrorism and brought down the Taliban government in Afghanistan and that was all. Mainly, the Al-Qaida men were targeted. These were the militants who had masterminded the attacks in America.

In 2003, the coalition force headed by America, attacked Irak to end the regime there, which, they said, and was terrorist in essence. But, America virtually remained disregardful of India’s problem with terrorism, particularly Tran’s border terrorism from across the border and that particularly in Kashmir.

Later, the Jammu and Kashmir Vidhan Sasha was attacked by the terrorists on October 1,2001but fortunately the members of the Legislative Assembly had a narrow escape. The same thing happened when the Indian Parliament was attacked by terrorists on December 13, 2001.Again the members of Parliament and cabinet had a providential escape, but the precious lives of some security men were lost.

After the December 13 attack on it, India had to take some strong measures. Flights of Pak planes over the Indian space were banned. India recalled her High Commissioner from Pakistan. A number of terrorist organizations in India was binned. Army was deployed on India's borders with Pakistan.

After the attack on the army in Jammu; Pakistan High Commissioner in India was asked to leave the country within seven days. India had also forwarded a list of 20 wanted terrorist’s to Pakistan.

India had the information that these terrorists lived in Pakistan and were even being provided nil facilities to work against India. But Pakistan Refused to hand over any of them to India and later or, its High Commissioner even denied that they were in Pakistan.

To fight the menace of terrorism, India had to promulgate the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) which was later passed by the Look Sabah and it came to be known as Prevention of Terrorist Act (POTA). The Act was challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. But the learned judges declared that the Art was the need of the hour. The court explained in detail.

"The upsurge of terrorist activities, intensification of cross-border terrorism, violence perpetrated by the insurgent groups are in existing reality and a global phenomenon. The modern means of communication and other facilities enable the terrorists to strike and create terror at will.

The existing justice delivery system was not equipped to deal with heinous crimes. Thus, there was an imperative need to make provisions for the prevention of and for dealing with terrorist activities and for matters connected there with.

The aims and objectives disclosed at the time of introduction of the Bill and the preamble provide a clear answer and the real rational for the promulgation of the Act by the Parliament."

The learned court also explained:

"The government did not rush. The Act was not promulgated in haste. However, the situation in the country showed no signs of improvement. In fact, the acts of violence were on' the increase. The attack on the World Tardily Center on the morning of September 11, 2001, bears a testimony to the fears expressed by the protagonists of a law for the prevention of terrorism.

The senseless attack on the Indian Parliament could have reinforced the view. Organized acts terrorism are no longer confined to a particular place or country.

The threat is global. And is on the increase despite, the fact that America has attacked Afghanistan with the most effective means of Destruction Thus, there was a need for the Impugned Act".

It is, indeed, strange that whenever the terrorists attack the innocent people, the human rights organizations keep mum, but when any Arborists are killed such organizations raise a hue and cry. Such a situation prevails not only in India, but also in foreign countries and particularly in the western countries.

it was the first American President George Washington who said, "If you want peace, be prepared for war."

again it was the American President, Abraham Lincoln who said, "Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people." similarly; much can be quoted from the mouth of most of other American President.

Speaking at a function on March 11 to remember and respect those who died on September11, 2001, President Bush proclaimed: "There will be a day when the organized threat against America, our friends and allies is broken.

When the terrorists are disrupted and scattered, many old conflicts will appear in a new light, without the fear and cycle of bitterness that terrorists spread with their violence.

We will see then that old and serious disputes can be settled within the bounds of the world beyond the war on terror. With courage and dignity we are building that world together.

"This to a great extent woke up the world against terrorism. But, unfortunately, America is still more worried about its own security than the global security.