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  • 22 August 2017 | Pub Ad | Daily Answer Writing Session

    Click on the blue highlighted links and attempt the questions on respective page

                                                                    (10 Marks/150 Words)
    Approach:
    Introduction on Arthashastra.
    Main features and relevance of Arthashastra.
    How it addresses needs of public administration .
    What are missing in Arthashastra.
    Conclude based on the analysis.
                                                                     (20 Marks/300 Words)
    Approach:
    Introduction on PCA.
    Reasons and situation of emergence of PCA.
    Contributions and the extend of success of PCA.
    Reasons of failure or fading out of significance of PCA.
    Critical appraisal of PCA.
    Conclude appropriately.

  • 22 August 2017 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions & Tikdams

    Q.1) Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the creation of the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA). Consider the following statements regarding it:
    1. The HEFA would mobilise CSR funds from PSUs/Corporates.
    2. All the Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions would be eligible for joining as members of the HEFA.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) Neither 1 nor 2
    c) Both are correct
    d) 2 only

    Q.2) The ‘Naresh Chandra Committee’ of 2011 was related to
    a) the RBI
    b) OBC Reservation
    c) the GST
    d) Defense

    Q.3) Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Border Roads Organisation:
    1. It has also operated in Tajikistan and Libya.
    2. It was brought under the control of the Defence Ministry in 2015.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) Both are correct
    b) 1 only
    c) 2 only
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q.4) ‘Solar Flares’ can have possible affects on
    1. Operation of satellites.
    2. Power grids on Earth.
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    a) Both are correct
    b) 1 only
    c) 2 only
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q.5) Which of the following countries use the ‘First Past the Post’ system of Election?
    1. United Kingdom
    2. The United States
    3. Canada
    4. India
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    a) 1 and 4 only
    b) 2, 3 and 4 only
    c) 1, 2 ad 3 only
    d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

    Q.6) Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic? (CSE: 2015)
    a) Khangchendzonga National Park
    b) Nandadevi National Park
    c) Neora Valley National Park
    d) Namdapha National Park

    Q.7) Amnesty International is (CSE: 2015)
    a) an agency of the United Nations to help refugees of civil war.
    b) a global Human Rights Movement.
    c) a non-governmental voluntary organization to help very poor people.
    d) an inter-governmental agency to cater to medical emergencies in war-ravaged regions.

    Q.8) With reference to the art and archaeo­logical history of India, which one among the following was made earliest? (CSE: 2015)
    a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
    b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
    c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
    d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri

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  • UPSC GS3 | Linkages of organized crime with terrorism

    1. History and Changing Face of Terrorism
    2. Linkage of organized crime with terrorism and terror funding
    3. Broader Framework to Deal with Terrorism

  • India Internal Security | Broader Framework to Deal with Terrorism

    National security is a multifaceted and all-encompassing concept related to building comprehensive national power. It envisages a symbiotic relationship between internal and external security, reinforcing the premise that a country’s external security posture is organically linked to its internal strength.

    For internal stability, strong political institutions, economic growth, social harmony, efficient law and order machinery, expeditious judicial relief and good governance are prerequisites.

    A sound framework to deal with terrorism would be an integrated and comprehensive whole in keeping with India’s cultural ethos, which would lay down what needs to be done to meet the cross domain and other challenges. Security begets stability, and both are essential for growth and development.

    The major focus areas of the strategy can be:

    To tackle violence

    • Protection of minorities, remote and scattered populations
    • Protection of vital installations
    • Strengthening of counter-terrorism grid through greater functional integration of the efforts through an institutional framework of Operation Groups and Intelligence Groups at all levels
    • Improved technology, gadgetry and equipment for state Police, Central Police Forces and modernization/ strengthening of Police in general to prepare the organization to take over the lead role in the direct anti-terrorism operations
    • Providing specific intelligence to ensure operations with focused target
    • Involving people through volunteer Village Defence Committees, etc.
    • Ensuring that while no quarter is provided to the terrorists, the Security Forces (SFs) take steps to avoid collateral damage (as far as possible) and also to show a humane face to the innocent civilians and thus develop better relations with the local population
    • Dynamic force deployment and flexibility of tactics to counter the changing strategies of terrorists

    To tackle cross-border terrorism

    • Curbing infiltration/ex-filtration
    • Fencing of International Border (IB) and creating obstacles along the Line of Control (LoC) and in depth areas along terrorist routes (supported by multi-tier deployment)
    • Enhancing intelligence capabilities

  • India Internal Security | Linkage of organised crime with terrorism and terror funding

    Crime and terrorism can potentially have a very close linkage. While there may or may not always be a linkage between the two, however, both international case studies and those in India do point towards it.

    Terrorist groups, whether indigenous or sponsored by outside states, need arms and money for their fight against the security forces. Organized crime conglomerates need a clientele and couriers who can smuggle drugs, arms and human beings across the countries and regions.

    If we look at some of the regions in the country affected by terrorism, this linkage becomes apparent. In the Northeast, extortion is the fundamental basis for funding all forms of terrorism. In addition to this, kidnapping has been used extensively for spreading terror and raising funds. Human trafficking, drug trafficking and gun running are some of the other criminal activities that have been common in these areas.

    In J&K, counterfeit currency has been a major source of funding terrorism.  Money laundering plays a significant role. Hawala (money laundering) transactions take place swiftly and effectively in Kashmir. Besides, it is also believed that the ISI uses drug money to fund militant activities in Kashmir.

    In the Maoist terror movements, extortion is yet again a common phenomenon. They have also indulged in robberies of banks to fund their movement. There have also been reports of cuts being enforced on drug yielding crops in the region.

    The Indian Mujahideen has also resorted to crime to raise funds. This includes robberies, kidnappings, etc.

    There are also a number of insurgent groups which over a period of time have morphed into crime syndicates.

    What began as an ideological movement is now merely a means of generating profit. This is especially the case with insurgent groups in Northeast India.

  • India Internal Security | History and Changing face of Terrorism

    History of terrorism in India

    The hand of Pakistan in fuelling the jihad in Kashmir to create an environment of either Azadi (freedom) or joining Pakistan is evident.

    During the Afghan jihad in the 1980s against the Soviet Union, Pakistan trained 80, 000 Mujahideen in training camps established in Pakistan.

    Once the Afghan jihad was over with the end of the cold war and Soviet withdrawal, Pakistan turned its attention on India. At that time, Kashmir was going through a tumultuous phase in the 1980s. There were accusations that the 1987 state elections which witnessed the victory of the Congress-National Conference were rigged. Losing candidates were declared winners. Protests against these elections grew violent in 1988. These rigged elections provided the fuel to the losing parties like the Jamaat-e-Islami, the People’s Conference and the Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen to become part of the main separatist alliance, the All Party Hurriyat Conference.

    Kashmiri leaders like Yasin Malik of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) also took to violence during that period (he renounced violent means in 1994)

    Terrorism in Kashmir exists due to the ability of outfits like LeT and HuM to operate from Pakistan. The hand of Pakistan in fuelling home grown terror groups like Indian Mujahideen (IM) is also suspected especially through the LeT proxy. It was the IM that claimed responsibility  for most of the terror attacks on Indian cities in 2008. The year 2008 also witnessed multiple bomb blasts in Assam in October of that year and the 26/11 terror attacks.

    The terror bombings were also meant to indicate the inability of the security agencies to thwart such terrorist activities. RDX and ammonium nitrate were used during the blasts. This aspect indicated that the terror outfit’s objective was to engineer heavy civilian casualty.

    Earlier terror attacks had involved simultaneous bomb blasts in crowded market places and official complexes. In Mumbai, the seizure of its five star hotels and Nariman house and attacks on its main railway station by the terrorists involved a direct engagement by the terrorists with the security forces.

    The terror cell mostly used the GPS to reach Mumbai through the sea on November 26. (They can use it again in future- Pathankot airbase attack is an example)

    The terror bombings in India were either for “territorial change” or “social control”. The LeT’s involvement in the Mumbai blasts was motivated by its goal of territorial change in Kashmir by incorporating it with Pakistan. SIMI and the Indian Mujahideen were more geared towards social control as they wanted to strengthen their own status amongst their present recruits as well as the target population.

    It can be predicted based on the patterns of the earlier attacks that the terrorists will target urban centres like New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow or Raipur in the near future, given the wide coverage it receives and the state reaction it effectuates.

    Industrial and upcoming areas like Bangalore, Jamshedpur and Chennai also face terror threat.

    Changing face of Terrorism

    India has been a victim of terrorism and insurgency since Independence.

    In the late 1980s, Kashmir, one of the most strategic states in India and sharing land borders with Pakistan, witnessed the rise of terrorism with visible support from Pakistan. Without the external hand, which includes base areas to terror groups, arms supply, financial help and training terror recruits in Pakistan, the Kashmiri terrorist groups could not have sustained themselves for so long.

    Since 1993, a new trend of terrorism emerged which was not territorially bound as those in the Northeast or Kashmir. This distinctive wave of terrorism targeted Indian cities with the political goal of discrediting India’s economic growth by creating disorder.

    This urban terrorism is a growing threat and needs special emphasis since India’s urban population will grow over the years with massive migration from rural to urban areas in search of better livelihood. This will make it the target of terror groups whose aim is to promote disorder in Indian cities to project the image of instability and lawlessness to the outside world utilizing instant media and the internet.
    A recent phenomenon is the mushrooming of pan-Islamist militant outfits with links to radical organisations in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and some other West Asian countries.

    Fired with religious zeal, a large number of the so-called “jihadis” have already entered into the bordering States and are in the process of penetrating deeper inside the country.

    These bands of religious fanatics are indulging in subversive activities and have expansionist designs. They will work relentlessly for the breakup of the Indian Union.

    While there could be several antecedent causes of terrorism, some of the most significant ones are a perceived sense of injustice by the aggrieved group, and a belief by that group that the use of violence will bring about a change. Thereby, most terrorist groups use their political ends for justifying violent means.

    Weak actors like terrorists therefore establish their “terrible” credibility by public display of violence.

  • UPSC GS3 | Security challenges and their management in border areas

    1. Social Diversity as Issues of Security Threat
    2. Challenges from within- Kashmir, Northeast, Punjab, and others
    3. Neighbors as Issue of Security Threat

  • India Internal Security | Neighbors as Issue of Security Threat

    India faces myriad security challenges both external and internal. Unlike any other country in the World, Indian security is marred by legacy issues that include unresolved boundary disputes, not coming to terms with the partition of the sub-continent, or culture of competition and challenge in case of one and unwillingness to accept India as a reckonable regional player in the case of the other, undermining Indian strategic space as it seeks to expand its political, economic and strategic influence.

    This has resulted in constant friction with two of its nuclear-armed neighbors with whom India has fought wars; increasingly acting in collusion. There thus exists an omnipresent danger of regional strategic instability with potential for escalation threatening India’s territorial integrity and strategic cohesion.

    India has a land border of over 15000 kilometers with seven countries, sections of which remain contested, or not formally demarcated even after nearly seven decades. At places, there is not even a mutually agreed line of control.

    With eleven neighboring countries (including four across the seas), many of which share cross-border Diasporas with India, internal peace and external security are inextricably intertwined. Given a rising graph of cross-border terrorism over the past two decades, cooperation with neighbors on security is essential.

    Bangladesh

    Threat from Bangladesh assumes serious dimensions since it became a base for northeast insurgent groups like ULFA and Naga factions. Of late, it has also been serving as a conduit for ISI sponsored infiltration of terrorists along India and Bangladesh’s porous border.

    The impact of illegal migration from Bangladesh on India’s security can be identified through two indicators.

    First, conflict over scarce resources, economic opportunities and cultural dominance ensues between the locals and migrants, along with the resultant political instability caused by the mobilisation of popular perception against the migrants by the elites to grab political power.

    Second, the rule of law and integrity of the country are undermined by the illegal migrants engaged in illegal and anti-national activities, such as entering the country clandestinely, fraudulently acquiring identity cards, exercising voting rights in India despite being a Bangladeshi and resorting to transborder smuggling and other crimes.

    The Bodo insurgency, which began as a reaction to the “Assamese domination” after the Assam Accord, and which continues to rage even after signing of two peace accords in 1993 and 2003, has periodically targeted Muslims, perceived as Bangladeshis, in lower Assam.

    The violence against the Muslims, in particular, stems from their fear of being rendered a minority in their own area given the perceived rapid rise of Muslim population. Bodo militants also believe that Muslim settlers support illegal migrants who continue to arrive through the riverine areas and encroach upon land belonging to their community, thus justifying retaliation.

    In  Tripura, where the tribal community has been reduced to a minority because of the large-scale influx of Bengalis. The tribal community has been resisting the settlement of Bengalis from East Bengal/Pakistan, and later Bangladesh, in their land since independence.

    Another outcome of the large-scale settlement of illegal migrants is that a number of mosques and madrasas have come up to cater to the needs of the migrant population in these areas. The construction of mosques and madrasas demonstrates the cultural and religious assertion by the illegal migrants who are overwhelmingly Muslims. The locals, especially the Hindus, believe that these mosques and madrasas, funded by money from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bangladesh, etc., propagate anti-Hindu and anti-India sentiments. It is believed that these activities are conducted by Jamaat-e-Islami members who clandestinely cross over from Bangladesh

    These developments have created resentment against the illegal migrants among the local population, who feel that they are getting marginalised in their own land.

    This also signifies that the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh is not going to die down and will continue to pose a challenge to the country’s internal security.

    China

    While there have been perceived trust deficit and security dilemma, both real and imagined, between India and China, particularly after 1962 war, it is seldom remembered that India and China enjoy a degree of camaraderie and strategic trust and have not indulged in war again.

    The disintegration of the erstwhile USSR and the end of cold war in 1991, not only transformed the geopolitical spectrum but also removed the major obstacle in the Sino-Indian relations, which in turn gave fillip to strategic trust to Sino-Indian relations.

    China appears to have become increasingly aggressive as it has steadily risen in power and as the influence of the West has progressively declined. It seems to have been spurred by the ineffectual response of the international community, particularly the United States, on the South China Sea discord.

    China’s defence cooperation and its support to Pakistan for missile technology are perceived in India to be threatening. Even though India protests from time to time against the US military aid to Pakistan, it does not find that support as threatening as the Chinese cosiness with Pakistan.

    The attempt by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to escalate tension in the trijunction of the India-China Middle Sector of the boundary at Doklam is a new development. It brings Bhutan into the boundary matrix between India and China. The Doklam border tension involves bilateral, trilateral and geopolitical facets.

    Doklam is a fresh attempt by Beijing to exert pressure on India to reframe India-China relations which have not been the best under the current leaderships in the two countries.

    Bhutan’s north-western region is close to Chumbi Valley and to the Tibetan region bordering the Indian state of Sikkim. A settlement between China and Bhutan in this area will have an obvious impact on Indian security. Chumbi Valley is located in the Yadong county of Tibetan Autonomous Region, which is geographically near the Siliguri corridor of northeast India.

    If Siliguri corridor is blocked, whole northeast will be cutoff from India and that is a major concern and a security threat.

    Pakistan

    The internal security problems have become aggravated in recent times with Pakistan’s policy of cross border terrorism, along with its intense hostile anti-India propaganda designed to mislead and sway the loyalties of border population. The intensification of cross border terrorism, targeted to destabilize India, has thrown up new challenges for our border management policy.

    The offensive agenda of Pakistan’s ISI to promote international terrorism and subvert India is expected to intensify. The J&K cauldron is expected to continue. Vigorous efforts are on to revive militancy in Punjab. Insurgent groups in different parts of the country are receiving support and encouragement. Illegal infiltration and smuggling of arms and explosives, narcotics and counterfeit currency are pressing problems.

    Samjhauta Express is being used for gunrunning and drug trafficking. Similar arrangements are needed to ensure foolproof security checks, in respect of buses that ply between India and Pakistan.

    The guarding of the coastal and creek areas of Gujarat pose extreme challenges due to the hostile terrain, inhospitable climatic conditions, hazardous nature of the sea and creek areas on this side of the border, the existence of about 400 sq. kms of mangrove swamp with interlacing intricate stretches of sub-creeks and deep inlets of varying dimensions and further complicated by the ever shifting sand bars. The resources presently available to the BSF, Police and the Customs are inadequate to meet these challenges in coastal and creek areas.

    It is quite possible that Pakistan may use the Gujarat route to push Bangladeshi nationals to India.

    Nepal

    The dynamic nature of the problems concerning management of borders is brought out by the manner in which the sensitivity of India-Nepal border has changed over a period of time. This border, which has been an open one, was once peaceful and trouble-free. However, with the increasing activities of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Nepal, the nature of the border has changed completely. These security concerns need to be addressed urgently.

    Myanmar

    Free movement across the Indo-Myanmar border has been the practice from times immemorial due to the ethnic and cultural similarity in the areas adjoining the border.

    Illegal trade activities in a variety of contraband items flourish at Moreh on the Indo-Myanmar border.

    Bhutan

    The border areas on both sides of the Indo-Bhutan border do not have basic infrastructure such as communications, roads, health, education, drinking water facilities etc. These areas are often used as sanctuaries by the insurgent groups of the North East particularly the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).

    Settlements of Bangladeshis are coming up along either side of the Indo- Bhutan border. Many of them are reportedly seeking jobs and employment in the Bhutanese territory, in the garb of Indian citizens. This is another reason to closely monitor the Indo-Bhutan border.

    India must seek to maintain independence of its foreign policy and security choices reflective of its civilizational ethos, while working in partnership with all friendly countries on issues of common interest.

  • [Official Answers] 21 August 2017 | Pub Ad | Daily Answer Writing Session

    Q.1 Explain Karl Marx’s view on the relationship of bureaucracy with the state and the society.

    Marx’s main interest centred around three basic concepts the development of capitalism, the magnitude or
    extent of its exploitation of working class and, finally, the emancipation of working class. In the course of
    analysis of these three basic issues he has discussed almost all the major issues of economics, politics and
    sociology (Criticism to Political Economy of Capitalism). Bureaucracy is one of these issues.
    Marx’s View on Bureaucracy and state

    • Bureaucracy is a party to exploitation and most probably for this reason he used two words state
      bureaucracy. Bureaucracy helped the bourgeois state in its activities of exploiting working class.
    • Bureaucracy was a very common system of administration of states irrespective of differences in state
      administration. The probable reason was that Industrial Revolution completely changed the political,
      economic and social structures of society and became inevitable.
    • Marx has said that in France bureaucracy established class rule “under the absolute monarchy, during
      the first revolution, under Napoleon, bureaucracy was only the means of preparing the class rule of the
      bourgeoisie, under the Restoration, under Louis Philippe, under the parliamentary Republic,’ it was the
      instrument of ruling class.” What transpires from the above analysis is that Marx treated bureaucracy as
      an instrument of ruling class—the most powerful class of society.
    • He knew that bureaucracy is, no doubt, an efficient instrument of administration but it is the most
      powerful instrument of administration that tortures and exploits working class.
    • The bureaucratic system that prevailed in the contemporary states was not neutral at all. Bureaucracy
      not only ensures class rule but the capitalist class uses it to establish supremacy in all sections of the
      state. So, in Marx’s opinion, bureaucracy cannot be separated from state system.
    • A crucial characteristic of the bureaucracy is that of behaving like a private owner vis-a- vis the public
      resources, it conserves a substantial degree of control over these resources and uses them for their own
      purpose.
    • According to Marx, the bureaucracy is bearer of private interests and a reinforcer of private spirit in the
      society as a whole. It is precisely by reinforcing such privatism or particularism of the society that the
      bureaucracy may claim a monopoly of the public-spirit—a monopoly of public resources.
    • It assumes a ‘formalism’ and as such presents itself as a ‘superior consciousness’. Hence the view of Marx was in sharp contrast with that of Weber. But the Neo Marxist scholars admit the relative Autonomy of the State, opening up thereby a fresh line of thought on the analysis of bureaucracy as a fairly autonomous body.

    Q.2 New Public Service starts with the premise that the focus of public management should be citizens, community, and civil society. Elaborate in comparison with NPM.

    New Public Service approach is a model to understand public administration from bottom up perspective which came in late 1990s in response to the domination of New Public Management (NPM) and Traditional Public Administration. Robert B. Denhardt and Janet V. Denhardt are the main propagator of this model. This approach believes, “public servants do not deliver customer services, they deliver democracy.”

    New Public management (NPM) approach was an outcome of Minnobrook conference II which was held in 1988. The main features of the NPM are-

    • It proposes a thorough organizational revamping so that organizational structure will
      become conductive for organizational leadership;
    • It reconceptualises citizens as ‘active customers’.
    • It calls for more autonomy for the public sector managers;
    • Application of rigorous performance measurement technique;
    • Inspired by New Right philosophy, the NPM is in favour of cost-cutting in public sector;
    •  It believes in a decentralized form of governance.

    In 1990s, because of the conceptual and practical problems encountered with the old public administration and New Public Management approach a number of theories developed to conceptualize public management.

    New Public Service is one of them. Most of the approaches believe that public administrators should provide public services with great efficiency but for the NPS approach, what really matters is not how efficiently they are doing their job but how they are contributing to make better life for the citizens. According to Denhardt and Denhardt administrators should realize that they have much to gain by ‘listening’ to the public’ rather ‘telling’ and by ‘serving’
    rather than by ‘steering’.
    FEATURES OF NEW PUBLIC SERVICE APPROACH

    • Serve, rather than steer.
    • The public interest is the aim, not the by-product.
    • Think strategically, act democratically.
    • Serve citizens, not customers.
    • Accountability isn’t simple.
    • Value people, not just productivity.
    • Value citizenship and public service above entrepreneurship
    • Characteristics NPM NPS
    • Theoretical foundations Economic theory, positivist

    Case studies
    By using New Public Service approach, in 2001, President George W. Bush and a bipartisan group of
    Congressional leaders passed the No Child Left Behind Act (“NCLB”) that sought to improve public
    education through greater accountability.
    CONCLUSION
    In short NPS presents a framework which gives full priority to democracy, citizenship and
    service in the public interest. This approach is appropriate in contemporary time where the whole world
    is talking about good governance. New Public Service approach strengthens the idea of good-
    governance as it suggests that public administrators should begin with the recognition that an engaged
    and enlightened citizenship is critical to democratic governance. It focuses ‘Outcomes instead of
    outputs’.

  • India Internal Security | Challenges from within

    International terrorism poses the greatest challenge to the security and stability of the country. It was until recently confined to the state of Jammu & Kashmir but has gradually spread across the length and breadth of the country. The terrorists are opposed to the very idea of India; they want to destroy its icons and its symbols.

    Terrorist modules are active in several urban conglomerations. The security forces and intelligence agencies of the country are quite capable of handling the terrorist threat, but they are hamstrung by government policies.

    We have no comprehensive anti-terror law even though the country has been facing different shades of terrorism for the last nearly fifty years.

    Jammu & Kashmir

    Jammu and Kashmir became an integral part of the Indian Union when the then ruler of the State, Raja Hari Singh, on October 26, 1947, unconditionally signed the instrument of accession in accordance with the legal framework provided for all the Princely States of British India to accede either to India or to Pakistan. The prescribed legal framework did not envisage ratification of accession by the people of a Princely state.

    Pakistan’s refusal to accept the State’s accession to India led it to launch an armed

    aggression in 1947 resulting in forcible occupation of a part of the State that still remains under its illegal control. Pakistan’s non-acceptance of the reality and its ambition to wrest Jammu and Kashmir from India by force led to wars in 1965 and 1971 between the two countries and Pakistan had to face ignominious defeat each time.

    Kashmir is not an Islamic issue and the two-nation theory propagated by Pakistan before and after 1947 has been shown to be irrelevant.

    Pakistan is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to destabilize India and annex J&K. Militancy is a direct consequence of the unremitting efforts of Pakistan’s covert agencies, particularly its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to exploit the prevailing discontent and destabilize the established authority by creating an anarchic situation.

    Militancy has caused enormous human and economic losses in the State and shattered its economy. There is enough evidence that destabilizing India through actively sponsored terrorism is a matter of state policy for Pakistan.

    Following steps need to be taken to deal with the internal security situation in J&K:

    i) integrate gradually the state of Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India in all matters;

    ii) deal with the separatist elements with a heavy hand and place a blanket ban on their conspiratorial confabulations with the Pak authorities, both in Delhi and in Islamabad. Any contacts with the terrorist outfits active in/ J&K should be dealt with under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

    iii) ensure comprehensive economic development of the State, ensuring accountability in the utilization of funds;

    iv) initiate appropriate measures to bring back and rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandits who were dislodged from their homes and forced to seek shelter in other parts of the country.

    v) Keep the issue of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) alive and put pressure on China to withdraw from the areas it has occupied in J&K.

    The North East

    The region, North East India, comprises States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.

    Broadly, the conflict in the Northeast could be categorised at three levels: Conflict with the Indian state; conflict between different communities considered “indigenous”; and conflict associated with illegal migration. All three are interlinked and intertwined.

    North-east has been convulsed with separatist and secessionist movements of different hues. These movements could broadly be attributed to:

    • a feeling of neglect by the central government;
    • false propaganda by leaders of the area;
    • alienation of tribals;
    • changes in the demographic pattern caused by the influx of people from across the borders;
    • availability of sanctuaries in Myanmar and Bangladesh;
    • assistance to rebel groups by countries inimical to India.

    Insurgency is in some measure due to the ethnic divide accentuated by migrations from without and exacerbated by foreign intervention. Several insurgent groups in the region are currently demanding independence. Apart from maintaining an unacceptably high level of violence in some of the states in the region, they are engaged in widespread extortion from all sections of society.

    Drug smuggling and gun running are rife. Intelligence reports suggest that the ISI is extremely active in fomenting unrest in the area. The paucity of roads, railways, communication facilities, and slow economic growth, have further contributed to the grievances of the local populace.

    Assam also witnessed upheaval due to the large scale influx of foreigners into the State. An analysis of the data indicates that the law & order situation in Assam remains vitiated due to violent activities of ULFA, NDFB and United Peoples Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) (anti- talks faction).

    In Meghalaya, the law & order situation in Garo hills continues to be under strain.

    The security scenario in Tripura also remains a matter of concern. However, NLFT (Nyanbasi Group) has signed a ceasefire agreement.

    Nagaland has been the epicenter of armed insurrection in north-eastern India. The sparks later flew to Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura. In Nagaland, violence between the NSCN (I/M) and NSCN (K) has remained the prominent feature of the current violence profile. NSCM (I/M) has signed a ceasefire agreement with government in August 2015.

    The security scenario in Manipur remains a cause of concern. Manipur has about 15 militant groups operating in the Valley and the Hill districts. Apunba Lup, an umbrella organisation of the Meiteis, with the tacit support of Meitei Extremist Organisations, is demanding withdrawal of the disturbed area status of Manipur under Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act, 1958.

    A disturbing development in the north-east is China’s renewed interest in the region and culpable involvement with the insurgent outfits.

    NORINCO or the China North Industries Corporation, a state owned weapon manufacturing company, has emerged as the largest supplier of arms to the underground of the north-east through Myanmar and Bangladesh. It has office in Bangkok and operates through a network of agents spread over south-east Asia.

    The continued unrest in the north-east is to be attributed essentially to the following factors:

    • an impression among the tribes that the Government of India could be blackmailed into giving concessions by perpetrating violent incidents;
    • widespread corruption among the ruling elite;
    • active involvement of foreign intelligence agencies; and
    • connivance/helplessness of neighbouring countries in permitting insurgent groups to set up training camps and allowing them to procure arms and supply the same to the insurgent outfits.

    The strategy adopted by the Government to improve the situation in the North East includes accelerated infrastructural development, stress on employment and good governance and decentralisation, building friendly relations with neighbouring countries, willingness to meet and discuss legitimate grievances of the people as also a resolve not to tolerate violence.

    The Government of India’s internal security doctrine on north-east will need to take care of the following aspects:

    i) dialogue is to be preferred to armed confrontation but the period of peace talks should be utilised for meaningful exchange of ideas and the insurgent outfit must not be allowed to use this period to enhance its strength in terms of following and weaponry;

    ii) the terms of suspension of operations must be strictly enforced and the insurgent outfit restrained from indulging in extortions, collection of taxes, forcible recruitment and other unlawful activities;

    iii) there should be accountability in the utilisation of funds allotted for development;

    iv) people from the north-east should be given greater opportunities of cultural interaction with the rest of the country.

    Punjab

    The situation in Punjab needs to be kept under close watch. Many pro-Khalistani militants continue to enjoy shelter in Pakistan and there are reports of plans to revive terrorism in Punjab. Subversive propaganda is being aired from Pakistani Punjab.

    There are, meanwhile, disturbing indications of Pak Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) putting pressure on militant groups of Punjab like the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and their collaborators in European and North American countries to revive militancy in the Punjab.

    Maoist Insurgency

    The Maoist problem has been described as the biggest internal security threat to the country.

    The salient features of the movement today are as follows:

    • Spread over a large geographical area
    • Increase in potential for violence
    • Expansion in north-east
    • Nexus with other extremist groups

    Presently, about 173 districts across the country are affected by incidents of Maoist violence; out of these 26 have been identified as highly affected. These are mostly in the seven states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, and West Bengal.

    The Naxals’ potential for violence has increased substantially with their acquisition of sophisticated weapons and expertise in the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

    The Maoists are spreading their tentacles in the north-east and there are disturbing reports about their trying to forge links with the insurgent outfits active in the region.

    The Maoists’ nexus with the other extremist organizations has added to the complexity of the problem. The PW (People’s War) cadres received training in the handling of weapons and IEDs from ex-members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Besides, they have entente cordiale with the NSCN (IM). Some batches of Naxals received arms training from the ULFA. Besides, the Communist Party of India (Maoist) has fraternal relations with the Communist Party of Nepal. Pakistan’s ISI is also trying to reach out to the Maoists.

    The Maoist problem requires a comprehensive approach with emphasis on the following aspects:

    1. The development paradigm pursued since independence, the benefits of which have been disproportionately cornered by the dominant sections at the expense of the poor and which has aggravated the prevailing discontent among marginalised sections of society, deserves to be given a second look and reviewed.
    2. The PLGA will have to be neutralised through sustained counter-insurgency operations. It must, however, be ensured that there is minimum collateral damage.
    3. Socio-economic development of the areas affected will need to be ensured through sincere implementation of the plans.
    4.  The grievance redressal machinery will need to be activated at different levels. Justice must be seen to be delivered.
    5. Land alienated from tribals must be restored to them
    6. Tribals’ rights over forests must be recognized. The provisions of the Forest Rights Act should be enforced.
    7. There should be genuine attempt to win the hearts and minds of the people.
    8. The door for peace talks should always be kept open.

    Illegal Migrations

    One of the biggest problems facing India and having a direct bearing on the country’s economy and security is that of the continuing illegal migration of Bangladeshis into India.

    The factors which have been encouraging the influx from Bangladesh side are:

    • steep rise in population with increasing pressure on land and mounting unemployment,
    • recurrent natural disasters like floods and cyclones, uprooting large segments of humanity, 
    • better economic opportunities in India, 
    • religious persecution of Hindus and discrimination of tribals,

    Islamic interests encouraging expansion of territory, organized immigration by touts and anti-social elements, and porous and easily negotiable international borders.

    The bulk of the Bangladeshi immigrants are in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Delhi and the north-eastern states.

    The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark judgment (July 2005), while repealing the notorious The Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal ) (IMDT) Act, observed that “there can be no manner of doubt that the State of Assam is facing ‘external aggression and internal disturbance’ on account of large scale illegal migration of Bangladeshi nationals” and directed the Union of India “to take all measures for protection of the State of Assam from such external aggression and internal disturbance as enjoined in Article 355 of the Constitution”.

    According to Myron Weiner, the global immigration crisis should not, and cannot, be ignored, specifically because it presents serious challenges to states and the preservation of human rights.

    There are three possible options :

    1. Accommodation Control– It involves expanding the level of legal immigration and accepting a chunk of the illegal immigrants. This option is based on the neo-classical economics, which argues that economic benefits accrue from the free movement of the factors of production.
    2. Greater Border Control– This would involve increasing the deployment of police and paramilitary forces to effectively check trans-border movements. Besides, physical barriers like border security fencing may also be erected to prevent unauthorized movements of people from either side. Identity cards could be issued to the citizens so that the detection of illegal immigrants becomes easier.
    3. Intervention– This involves changing the economic, political and social factors in the sending countries which lead to migrations. Such efforts have been made in a number of countries. Somalia, the former Yugoslavia, and Haiti, are three prominent examples. Economic assistance, coercive diplomacy, sanctions, and military interventions are the possible tools.

    Other Threats

    There are threats to internal security from certain other factors also. These include:

    • Regional aspirations
    • Inter-state disputes
    • River water sharing issues
    • Communal problems
    • Caste tensions
    • Demand for reservations, etc.

    These factors also, from time to time, pose a formidable challenge.

    A recent phenomenon is the mushrooming of pan-Islamist militant outfits with links to radical organisations in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and some other West Asian countries. Funded by Saudi and Gulf sources, many new madrassas have come up all over the country in recent years, especially in large numbers in the coastal areas of the West and in the border areas of West Bengal and the North East. Reports of systematic indoctrination of Muslims in the border areas in fundamentalist ideology is detrimental to the country’s communal harmony.

    The challenges can, however, be effectively dealt with and contained if we have a proper internal security doctrine, and the same is implemented in letter and spirit irrespective of the sacrifices the nation may have to make in the process.

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