The Union Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil, while addressing a conference of directors-general and inspectors of police warned about sleeper cells of terror outfits present in big cities, which could be brought into action mode at a moment'snotice. He also expressed the apprehension that they are most likely to strike at places where people tend to gather in large numbers besides police establishments. ?Religious places can be attacked and the police can too become their targets. Politicians and other important persons may also be targeted?, the Minister said.
Commenting on the woeful inadequacy of the intelligence agencies of states to combat terrorism, the Home Minister stressed on developing and strengthening of intelligence set-up to meet the challenges of modern-day terror strikes, in which the terrorists use modern technology and sophisticated weapons.
Claiming that infiltration across the border has not yet abated since the terror incidents are still taking place, Mr. Patil underlined the need to shed complacency urging the security agencies to be constantly on their toes. Listing Assam and Manipur as other areas of concern in the Northeast, the Minister underscored the need for better synchronisation among the forces operating in these states. He also articulated the view that pro-active strategy and concerted action are necessary to stop extortions in the region.
It needs no reiteration that things are really serious not just all along the border but throughout the length and breadth of the country. That things are getting out of hand has been borne out by various governmental statistics. Some of these point out the fact that more than 30 per cent of India is reeling under dastardly attacks from jehadis, Naxals, Maoists and other freewheeling and dealing killers. The Indian state is visibly adrift rudderless in the choppy waters. Nothing highlights this more vividly than the happenings in states like Assam, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh on the other hand, illegal immigration of Bangladeshis is being encouraged by the ruling class in a bid to build up vote banks.
For Mr. Patil to have stated publicly that our security apparatus is unfit to fight terror does not help India feel inclined enough to grapple with the deadly menace of terrorism. Instead of sitting up and taking notice, the UPA leadership along with their drumbeaters are busy settling scores with their allies in their game of one upmanship. Notwithstanding the wave of violence that is threatening to snare the entire nation, they tend to remain recklessly nonchalant about national security.
Indeed, the policies followed by the UPA government reflect its casual attitude toward fighting terrorism to its logical end. Repealing of POTA and dithering over Parliament attack convict Mohammed Afzal'sdeath sentence have only added to the internal security haze of the Congress-led UPA government. Such flawed policies have come in handy for the fast and furious spread of terror across the country.
Asserting that their approach to dealing with terrorism is correct, the ruling party resorts to underplaying the security concerns besides couching their incompetence by complimenting people for maintaining social harmony and suffering the losses bravely. While there can be no denying the fact that there is nothing wrong in placating the victims, such response is no alternative to address the core issues.
Rather than perceiving terrorism as a common enemy, political parties are using it as a cat'spaw to augment their electoral fortunes. That'swhy the government does not demonstrate a firm will to put down terrorism once for all. This also explains its hesitation to take stringent measures for fear of angering the hard-line constituency that could jeopardise the party'shopes of winning their support. Given this the government feels no compunction in sacrificing the interests of security for vote bank politics. This was also clear from the Home Minister'saddress who, during his deliberations emphasised the need for ?understanding and sympathy? while dealing with terror threats.
The Congress is yet to undertake a serious introspection of the terror situation. It surely cannot afford to sit back and take a casual approach. Its laxity in cracking down on terrorism will make the matters worse in coming days. It makes little sense to cry hoarse that all is well and no laws need to be changed in the face of serious terror threats faced by the nation.
It is time to shed complacency in the furtherance of the national interest. Having said that, there has to be a serious disconnect between the vote bank politics and national concerns.
