While a survey of the
security situation in South Asia was carried out last
week, India which in size and population may represent other nations
of the Sub Continent taken together needed a special section. In the
interim, however a devastating terror strike has taken away one of the
most charismatic political leaders of the Sub Continent, (and not just
Pakistan) Benazir Bhutto. A lady of immense wit, charm and vivacity, she
died perhaps a dream death waving to her beloved Pakistani people.
While one can fault
Benazir over many political issues, none would doubt her commitment to
the people of her country. That was perhaps what made her the target of
the ghastly attack by the Al Qaeda. While reports blame Behtullah Mehsud,
who is the bete noire of the present regime, it is hard to
believe that a hard boiled Pashtun leader will target a women. Sadly
Benazir leaves when she is required most by her country, while many
would blame her for sowing the roots of Talibanism and providing shelter
to the Al Qaeda, none would doubt her sincerity this time around. In her
death we hope that the political leaders of South Asia get together to
stand united against extremism.
No other country in the region however needs unity of political
leadership against terrorism than India. Facing with multiple challenges
of security, four key areas of concern remained during the year. The
Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh himself described Naxalism as the most
significant one, calling it a, “virus”. Others include Kashmir, North
East and terrorism in the Indian hinterland.
Taking Naxalism first the
reality of numbers could bring home apathy of counter Naxal operations
in the country during the year. As per a report in the Daily Pioneer,
the number of policemen killed in various Naxal-related insurgencies
reached a record high of 214 till November 30 since 2003, while only 129
Naxalites were killed during the period. The figures stood at 133
(policemen) and 239 (ultras) during the same period in 2006. There were
1,385 Naxal-related incidents till November 30 this year. Chattisgarh
topped the list with 531 incidents so far in which 181 police personnel
and 166 civilians were killed.
While figures of 165 districts being under the influence of Naxals with
33 severely affected are routinely bandied, some areas as Abujmad in
Chhattisgarh are totally under Naxal control where the state has failed
to reach the remote, tribal pockets of under development. India will
continue to face the challenge in these areas over the years.
Kashmir was a bright spark of the year. There is tacit acknowledgement
in all quarters that there has been all round progress in controlling
militancy in the State. This is evident with a 40 percent drop in
violence, though infiltration from across the border has increased over
the previous year. The number of terrorists apprehended has also
increased, with a number of top commanders in the police dragnet. This
includes 34 top commanders and 307 cadres killed in gun battles with
security forces in 2007 as per police sources. Eid was celebrated with
great enthusiasm in the Valley. One indicator is the amount of cash
drawn from ATMs in four days preceding the Eid which exceeded over Rs
120 Crores. Political activity has increased and the Kashmiris are
expecting the train to chug in the Valley next year.
Things on the North East front are however not very bright. Assam faces
multiple challenges of ULFA in Upper Assam, the DHD in North Cachar and
Karbi Anglong, the Adivasis in Central Assam and other groups protesting
over marginalization in economy and employment. There is not much succor
for the people of the state in the year ahead. On the other hand,
Nagaland has raised hopes of unification of the main antagonists, the
NSCN IM and K factions which hopefully is not an illusion with the NSCN
IM likely to break up if unity moves fail. Manipur remained on the boil,
but there is acknowledgement of a major threat to security and the state
government has been asked to clamp down on militancy which is showing
some results in the past month or so.
Of greater danger is the spread of extremist terror cells in UP,
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and major metropolitan cities including the
national Capital Delhi. The spate of terrorist incidents during the past
year would be evidence of their all pervasiveness. On 19 February two
bombs exploded aboard the Samjhauta express linking India to Pakistan,
burning to death at least 66 passengers, most of them Pakistani
citizens. On 18 May, a bomb exploded during Friday prayers at the Mecca
Masjid in Hyderabad, killing 11 worshippers. On 25 August, two bombs
exploded in Hyderabad, at Gokul Chat Bhandar and Lumbini Park killing 42
persons. A series of six blasts struck Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi on
23 November killing 14 people and injuring 60. while there were two
blasts in Ludhiana and Ajmer in the month of October killing 10 people.
The large casualties are no doubt numbing, yet the response of the state
to this threat is far from satisfactory. There are deep roots of
extremism and terrorism given the many points of conflict emerging from
deprivation both in terms of economic as well as political and social
rights of the marginalized in society who feel exploited by the rich and
the privileged. As Sushil Roy, a member of the Naxal Politburo and
highest ranking Naxalite leader in custody told his interrogators in
Jharkhand, “Forests mean minerals, minerals mean money, money means
guns, guns mean power”. The exploitative nature of economy of the states
affected by Naxalism is indicated by the timber, coal, iron, diamonds,
bauxite and other minerals that festoons Central India. Sunita Narain,
Director of the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. “The
poorest people of India live on our richest lands.”
The political leadership in various states of the fissiparous groups has
very deftly used this disparity to advantage. A sustained
socio-economic-political approach is thus essential to prevent the
spread of the militancy. There however has to be a mix of security and
development. Above all there has to be political consensus to make the
people more aware of the security needs of the country. Alas! India
awaits such consciousness.
December 30, 2007
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