In response to escalating terrorist threats, the Union Government has announced plans to deploy National Security Guards (NSG) units in Ayodhya, Kerala, and Pathankot. The first NSG unit is scheduled to be operational in Ayodhya within two months, with units in Kerala and Pathankot expected to commence by the end of 2024.
This initiative aims to bolster local law enforcement and armed forces’ capabilities to swiftly respond to emergencies. Ayodhya, specifically identified as a target by terrorist groups since the Pran Prathishta on January 22, has seen strategic planning and preparations culminate in the imminent deployment of NSG units.
Further details reveal that extensive consultations and preparations have preceded the finalisation of plans for launching these units, underscoring the gravity of the security concerns in these regions.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reportedly identified Kerala and the border district of Pathankot as havens and logistical centers for Pan-Islamic extremists. In response, the government has decided to establish National Security Guards (NSG) units in these regions, bringing the total number of NSG hubs in the country to eight. Currently, NSG units are operational in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Gandhinagar.
The decision to launch NSG units in Kerala is particularly significant due to the state’s connections with international terrorist activities. Kerala has been linked to recruits for the Islamic State (IS) from India and has ties to major terrorist incidents such as the 2015 Paris blast, the 2019 Colombo Church blast, and the 2020 Kabul Gurudwara blast. Additionally, many leaders of the outlawed Popular Front of India (PFI) hail from Kerala.
“While it may not be accurate to label Kerala as merely a hub of terrorism, it is indeed a nerve center for such activities, benefitting from extensive logistics, manpower, and financial resources,” stated officials familiar with the matter.
The NSG has been deemed crucial for deployment in Kerala, a state identified as potentially pivotal in the country’s security landscape. Kerala, where the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) vie for dominance, has increasingly become a focal point for extremist groups.
Both political fronts have been accused of making concessions to Islamic extremists in their pursuit of electoral gains, creating an environment conducive for such elements. Notably, despite a stringent stance against Maoists, the LDF government under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has faced criticism for alleged leniency towards anti-national forces like the Popular Front of India (PFI).
The issue came to the forefront recently when a controversial decision by authorities to slow down police operations against the PFI during a ban in September 2022 allowed key leaders to evade capture and crucial documents to be removed from their offices. This incident underscored the challenges in enforcing law and order effectively against determined extremist networks.
Earlier, in a significant anti-terrorism operation in 2016, units of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Delhi and Chennai conducted raids in Kannur district’s Kanakamala area, known as a stronghold of the CPM. The operation led to the arrest of 15 individuals with alleged sympathies towards the Islamic State (IS), who were subsequently charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Recent court proceedings have highlighted the severity of the threat, with the judiciary handing down substantial prison terms to individuals involved in a conspiracy to execute attacks in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, including a planned assassination of a BJP leader.
Kerala has witnessed a growing trend of separatist sentiments in recent years, exemplified by events like the ‘Cutting South’ seminar in Kochi, which ignited discussions about an ‘independent, separate South Bharat’. These developments have heightened concerns among residents and underscored the need for robust security measures.
The launch of the NSG unit has been met with widespread support from Keralites and patriotic individuals across the country. It is viewed as a proactive step towards strengthening security infrastructure and addressing the evolving threats posed by extremist elements operating within the state.
