Measures to promote Internal Security
Praveen Dixit
DGP Maharashtra State (Retired)
December 31, 2023.
Since India’s independence, thousands of citizens from neighboring countries have been staying in India. They came in through legal as well illegal channels. Many these were deliberately settled in India by British. It is difficult to obtain official information about how many people live in India illegally at any given time. These illegal immigrants continue to flout Constitutional mandate about who should be considered as Indian citizens. Officers of Bureau of Immigration who manage immigration check posts need to scrutinize incoming foreigners from security of the country while facilitating them. Similarly, Superintendents of Police who function as Foreigner Registration Officers in districts and FRROs in metropolitan cities need to undertake monthly campaigns to identify illegally staying foreigners and ensure their deportation followed by blacklisting them to prevent their entry in the country.
In 2004 and 2009, Indian electorate provided Congress-led UPA a clear mandate to rule the country for a long period of ten years. Instead of attempting to solve the various economic, political and social problems, the government machinery was riddled with inaction, corruption, nepotism and fractions. The hall mark was policy of appeasement of minorities, hoping they would enable the Congress party to win the General Elections. Neighboring country Pakistan took advantage of this misrule and successfully promoted terrorist activities in almost all major cities at will. The worst was repeated terrorist attacks in Mumbai in local trains, hospitals, stock exchange, hotels where foreigners were staying, petrol pumps, railway stations, jewelry market and many other sensitive places. These terrorist attacks resulted in hundreds of casualties and thousands of persons injured for life time. These included civilians as well as government doctors, nurses and law enforcing personnel. In addition, there were also attacks in several other cities in North as well as South India
In addition to wreck India from within, Pakistan successfully pushed billions of rupees in fake Indian currency through Nepal and Bangladesh, with a view to create parallel economy and thus destroy Indian economy. Narco -terrorism was in full swing and funds collected through these mafia activities were being used to send arms, ammunition and other terrorist activities in India. To complicate the situation further, Maoists and Naxalites created havoc in 110 districts of 13 states from Pashupati to Tirupati. The number of people killed in Maoist attacks was many times more than the number of people killed in India-Pakistan or India-China wars. In addition, urban Naxalites operating in cities were mobilizing the masses to provide support in terms of recruits, support, medicines, shelter and funds to Maoists besides blocking development projects like the Narmada Dam by petitioning international financial institutions.
Apart from these terrorist activities in the hinterland of India, a section of Sikhs particularly settled in countries including Canada, USA, Germany, Australia, UK and Pakistan indulged in cross border terrorist activities, attacks on Indian diplomats and temples abroad and pushed drugs through porous borders in India. These self -proclaimed advocates of Khalistan even indulged in violent attacks in India particularly in Punjab. In addition, separatist activities in North Eastern parts such as Manipur, Nagaland were aided and abetted by Myanmar and China. While Taliban controlled Afghan government has put heavy restriction of cultivating poppy seeds, Myanmar has surpassed Afghanistan in cultivation of poppy seeds and making drugs which are now constantly being pushed in India in huge quantities. Many young people in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra have fallen prey to drugs including opium and heroin coming from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Similarly, youth in northeastern states have become addicted to drugs coming from Myanmar and Thailand. Due to the continuous supply of weapons, drugs and infiltrators of Jihadis from Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir became completely unstable and it was not possible to run any administration there. Common people were victims of daily stone-pelting, police action, and terrorist attacks. Millions of Kashmiri Hindu Pandits were compelled to abandon their homes and live in shelter homes in abject poverty in their own country.
In the above background, when common man was suffering due to policy paralysis, corruption, increasing terrorist attacks, and rising inflation, the electorate preferred Narendra Modi led BJP and NDA in 2014 and 2019 It is proposed in this article to review strategic changes made by Modi led government to strengthen internal security in the country.
Various factors including international developments, such as Russia- Ukraine war, Israel-Hamas war, foreign policies of major countries towards India, India’s foreign policy to global players have serious impact on internal security. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that India’s real as well as imaginary internal differences are exploited, aided and abetted by foreign forces to ensure continued incidents of terrorism in India. China openly supports Naxalism and Maoism in India in many ways including providing finances, arms and ammunition, communication equipment, shelter, and propaganda abroad. Followers of Maoism have a firm belief in Mao’s dictum ‘power is obtained through barrel of gun’ and act accordingly. This movement, which started in Naxalbari in Bengal, is no longer limited to Dandkaranya and remote forest areas, but is now spreading among university youth in urban areas as urban Naxalism. Violent riots which started from Bhima Koregaon at Pune and spread to distant places against upper castes in a very short time demonstrates the preparations of Maoists. Attempt to create ruckus by persons claiming to be belonging to Bhagat Sigh Azad forum by entering in Lok Sabha during the Winter Session in 2023 is another example of urban Naxal activities. Involvement of Christian missionaries in creating internal disturbances is also vividly depicted through persons such as Stan Sami who operated from Jharkhand, and Varvara Rao, who was active in Hyderabad. Even after India and many other countries including USA, UK, France urged UN Security Council to declare certain persons as terrorists on the basis of their objectionable activities supported by Pakistan, China used its veto power to negate international efforts. Reasons for China and Pakistan friendship are not secret. Pakistan has given Indian territory in Occupied Kashmir for China’s ambitious road project to reach Karachi port, and members of these terrorist groups have been given the task of protecting Chinese workers and constructions done by them against the opposition from locals in Pakistan. In return, China thwarts any international attempt against these terrorists. This was underlined in the first ever meeting of the UN Special Security Council held in Mumbai and Delhi on October 26-27,2022.
Since India’s independence, Pakistan has been waging a low-cost covert proxy war against India, which includes efforts to separate Kashmir from India, provide active support to self-proclaimed advocates of Khalistan in Punjab, and continuously send arms and ammunition, including AK-47s, China made pistols and magazines and drugs to India’s border areas via drones, tunnels, and coastal areas. Apart from efforts to infiltrate jihadi youth to Kashmir, Pakistan has been constantly encouraging Indian minority youth to Pakistan via Gulf countries, training them in terrorism, providing them with financial assistance, and encouraging them with contact materials. ISI of Pakistan has been constantly providing full protection to Dawood Ibrahim, the main mastermind of Mumbai terrorist attack in 1993, as well as in 2008 and his other associates in Karachi and other places. In these efforts, Pakistan is supported by Türkiye, Malaysia, and other Islamic countries, under the pretext of religion.
Investigations have revealed that many Muslim youth including women from India have reached Syria and other parts to become members of ISIS. They were also noticed fighting alongside Taliban in Afghanistan. After the United States withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, the radical Taliban militants who took control of the country have repeatedly stated that their declared goal is to wrest control of Kashmir from India. In fact, the NIA has stated in charge sheets of terrorist cases that several terrorist organizations were operating under the leadership of the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Patna, Hyderabad, Kerala, and other places to establish Ghazwa-e-Hind (a Muslim state) in India by 2047. The NIA has mentioned in a charge sheet filed that advocates of Khalistan Islamic terrorists, Christian missionaries and Maoists seem to be actively aiding and abetting one another to break India in pieces. In the recent investigation of Pune terror module detected in July 2023, NIA raided 44 places in various parts of India, and arrested 15 persons including Saquib Nachin from Padgha near Borivali, Mumbai. The accused were involved in propagating the violent and extremist ideology of ISIS and in carrying out acts preparatory to terrorist violence, including recruiting individuals. These youth were given allegiance (bayath) to the self-styled Khalifa (leader) of ISIS. The probe revealed the accused were actively involved in raising funds to finance their terror plans and designs. Additionally, the NIA found DIY (do it yourself) kits with their contacts from the accused. DIY kit is essentially a fabricated tool created by foreign-based ISIS handlers to facilitate lone-wolf attacks. DIY kit contains material to misguide and manipulate youth through fabricated stories. This manipulation aims to provoke the youth into engaging in terrorist activities and mass killings. It also provides guidance on fabricating IEDs and all weapons such as pistols. The kit encourages youth to carry out their mission independently, believing it to be in line with their goal of achieving Jannat. Recruits are advised not to disclose their identity even to family members, while attempting to motivate others to follow the same path. The DIY kit also encourages the creation of media content by foreign-based ISIS handlers. The accused were found possessing propaganda magazines like ‘Voice of Hind’ and ‘Voice of Khurasan’. In addition, Islamic fundamentalists using jihad appear to have tricked several young Hindu (including SC and ST) women into marrying them and then harassing them. These young girls are often found to be victims of acid attacks, gang rapes, threatening to kill their families and spreading fake videos against them. Many of these girls are forced to convert by misinterpreting the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution.
Like Islamic fundamentalists, Christian evangelists are also noticed inciting many Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India to convert with false promises. The practice of witchcraft, of giving money to the needy for medicines, for education and receiving favors from the church have contributed to these malpractices. The United States, the United Kingdom, and many other European countries have spontaneously sent large sums of money as well as young people for this practice of proselytization among Hindus. Many NGOs funded by Christian Missionaries for uplifting woman, destitute are indulging in conversions. These organizations and their collaborators are openly advocating that political parties with nationalist ideology should not be elected. The freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution appears to have been used against members of the majority religion in India. In many such cases, these conversion activities have resulted in sporadic incidents of mob-lynching, and rioting. In fact, the intention is clear: increase members of Christian faith and thus have a policy favorable to the forces outside India. Clergy in the North East are inciting Scheduled Tribes to secede from India by converting them. Since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, thousands of such voluntary organizations have been closed down for non-compliance of FCRA. At the same time, special efforts are being made for the development of North Eastern states and aspirational 110 Districts. More than 14 agreements have been signed in last nine years with separatist organisations including ULFA of Assam. This has reduced the gap between people of North East and the Central government considerably and opened the doors of peace and development in these border states. Special schemes have been launched to support Scheduled Tribes in other states which are threatened with extinction of their traditions. Militancy in the North-East is almost over and militant groups have been brought into the mainstream. At the same time, violent incidents in various tribes in Manipur and border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya underline the need to be sensitive to these issues and ensure outside terrorist groups in Myanmar do not take advantage of these issues. In this background, one tends to agree with the union home minister when he stated that that in coming 2-3 years, Left-wing extremism as well as North East separatism would be a thing of the past. At the same time, he reiterated that there would be zero tolerance towards any terrorist activity. In fact, developmental activities in these districts have ensured that the recruitment of new youth to Marxist Leninist movement has almost come to an end.
Right from independence, Pakistan has been harping its fiddle internationally that Kashmir has majority of Muslims and therefore the same needs to be brought under Pakistan. However, the then ruler Maharaja Hari Singh as well as people of Kashmir never wanted to join Pakistan. Following popular will, Maharaja Hari Singh signed an agreement to join India. Even then, Article 370 was introduced in Indian Constitution stating accession of Kashmir tis a temporary arrangement. This became a bone of contention and source of terrorist activities in last 80 years. Narendra Modi government appreciated the difficulties of local people and repealed Article 370, created Union Territory of Ladakh and provided an opportunity to people of this region to access fruits of development in India. This repeal was confirmed by the Supreme Court as well and now Article 370 is a thing of the past. Many persons belonging to Scheduled Caste who were denied the right to vote in Kashmir are now able to do so. The development of Kashmir has reached the common man and they are able to have peaceful atmosphere essential for development. Lakhs of tourists are visiting Kashmir and providing boost to hospitality services. At the same time, curfews and stone-pelting incidents have completely stopped. Infiltrators coming to indulge in terrorist activities are getting exposed with the help of local people and are being neutralized in short time.
After observing anti-national activities of Popular Front of Idia (PFI), Indian Government under Narendra Modi banned PFI before they could succeed in executing terrorist activists. Following raids in Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi; several anti-national elements belonging to proscribed organization were arrested. Their interrogation revealed that the activists were collecting funds legally as well as illegally from gulf countries and in India to promote their objectionable violent activities.
In 2019, with a view to put effective legal action against individual terrorist persons and organizations as well as their sympathizers and fund providers, the Modi government amended the NIA Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to allow NIA to probe terror activities, fake national accounts and drugs. As a result, the conviction rate in cases investigated by NIA has gone up to 94%. As a result of these concerted efforts, after 2014, there have been no major terrorist attacks anywhere in India. Today there is appreciable improvement in the actions against potential terrorist outfits. This sucess needs to be attributed to increased information sharing and cooperation between the central and state governments and police administrations. In a continuous war against drugs, more than 100 thousand kilograms of drugs worth billions of rupees have been seized and destroyed and this process is going on.
As long as the paper-currency notes remain in use, no matter how much security features are introduced, Pakistan is pushing fake currency notes in the country to ruin India financially. To counter this menace, apart from demonetization, Modi government successfully implemented a very modern system of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments. Common people and vendors have adopted this UPI system very fast. Today billions of rupees are being transacted through UPI. Now India has started using digital e-rupee. All efforts are being made to ensure financial inclusion of everyone in the mainstream. This would help in reducing the incidence of theft, robberies, fraud and strengthen financial security of India. During G-20 meetings in India in 2023, many developed as well as developing countries were keen to adopt this system.
In a historic move the Modi government repealed archaic criminal laws including IPC, Cr PC and Indian Evidence Act and replaced these with Bhartiya Nyayasamhita, Bhartiya Nagagrik Sanrakshan Sanhita and Bhartiya Sakshya Sanhita 2023 respectively. The focus of these news acts is to provide justice to the victim in a specified time frame by using ultra moder technology and forensic science developments. Offences against women and children have been given primary focus so that their respect is upheld. These new laws have the potential of revolutionizing the criminal system in the coming years. This would strengthen efforts to deter offenders indulging in rapes, violating modesty of women, entering in marriages with deceit. Chain snatching, mobile snatching has been made new offence with three years punishment. Delay in delivery of justice would shortly be a thing of the past. Similarly Indian Telecommunications Act 2023 has been enacted by repealing Indian Telegraph Act. This would prove a big relief from cyber offences committed through use of multiple sims and other digital devices.
Since 2014, there have been projects to keep a close watch on the big cities through CCTVs. In addition to this, CCTV cameras have also been installed at private institutions, co-operative houses, railways, banks, etc. They are being used for investigation after the incident. However, CCTV cameras on roads, railway stations, bus stands, banks, home institutions, shops, etc., will be connected to the police control room and will be used to take preventive action with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Police are expected to take sue motto action before the victim complains about harassment of women, road rage and mobile theft. The use of drones has been increased for conducting surveillance in cities and ant-naxal operations. Use of innovative technology would certainly help improving the law-and-order situation in the cities. The development of anti-drone technology in the border areas is in advanced stage to counter dropping of drugs, arms and ammunition from Pakistan.
Increasing use of Internet and resultant cybercrimes has created fear among its users. Keeping this in mind, the Government of India has launched the 112 India app, the cyber helpline toll-free number 1930, and portal www.cybercrime.gov.in to take strict action against frauds and economic crimes against women. Complaint can be filed anonymously. Social awareness about cybercrimes is also being created with the help of relevant experts. Criminals are using social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram to create riots among followers of different castes and religions. Therefore, the central government has made strict laws to close the accounts of such persons and apps, websites promoting these crimes. In addition, new comprehensive laws like the Data Privacy Act and the Digital India Act are proposed to be passed in the near future. It is important for each one of us to ensure that social media messages are not forwarded without verifying the facts. The rise in cybercrime is alarming. Many a times the cyber criminals are operating from across the borders and difficult to track. Retired persons looking for jobs, unemployed youth, women are gullible targets. Under no circumstances, one should attend telephone calls coming from unknown numbers without their verification through apps such as True Call. In reading e-mails, never clique on links embedded in the mail. Don’t share your otp, password to unknown person. The Central government would do well by constituting a full-fledged machinery of experts to register and investigate cyber offences as these have the potential to ruin the lives of elderly, helpless victims in a big way. It is necessary to keep the cyber helpline in operation 24 hours. The state governments should join hands in these efforts to tackle cybercrimes effectively.
Cyber frauds are being perpetrated by misusing bank accounts. Today, people are losing crores of rupees every day. In order to address this issue, the Finance Minister of India and the Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) need to consider the measures taken by other countries and immediately stop the misuse of bank accounts.
Effective measures to enhance public-police cooperation
Legal, administrative measures initiated by the Central Government led by Narendra Modi have certainly met the challenges in maintaining internal security. The country can achieve the goal of five trillion US dollars per annum and become a developed country if there is internal peace. To achieve this objective, police have to earn the confidence of the people. This calls for improvements in functioning of police administration through good communication with the public. Mere increase in the number of policemen would not be enough. This task can be met effectively if apart from above mentioned measures and effective use of innovative technology, police also seek active help from people who are cleared by police, in the area of creating awareness about prevention of cybercrimes, traditional crimes and identifying radicalized elements that are determined in breaking India. In Maharashtra as well as in many other states in India, the scheme of police Mitra under different names is operational since quite some time. Few states have provided legal framework to the same. It is imperative that instead of leaving it to the whims and fancies of local officers or individual states, the Government of India should set up a committee of experts to formulate the framework as well as legal outline to ensure that community policing scheme is implemented throughout the country in one format. There cannot be a better solution to bring about harmony between the police and the public than implementing this scheme. This scheme should be integrated in police training programmers as well.
Interesting case studies such as launching of a novel scheme called ‘Police Dadalora Khidki’, implemented in Naxal affected districts of Gadchiroli and Gondia in Maharashtra demonstrate this aspect. Under this project, more than 6000 youth have been trained in various trades which would enable them to become skilled workers or start their own business. More than hundred thousand children have received various certificates including domicile or economically backward class. More than ten thousand persons have been operated for cataracts. These efforts have negated Naxal efforts to recruit new followers. Similarly, under Operation ‘Parivartan’ Superintendent of Police, Solapur Rural, has helped many youths in the settlement area which was notorious for being a hub of petty criminals, to become skilled workers.
In conclusion, it may be said that corruption-free leadership, adoption of new technology, people-oriented schemes backed by administrative and legal measures is the bulwark to ensure internal security.
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