Subject: GS 3
Syllabus: Internal Security - Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism. Role of External State and Non-state Actors in creating challenges to Internal Security.
Questions
- Discuss how there is a link between development and the spread of extremism. Also, enumerate the steps taken by the central government to address issues in Naxal-affected areas. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
- Non-state actors are detrimental to the internal security of India. Discuss how various non-state actors have impacted the internal security of India. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Model Structure
1. Discuss how there is a link between development and the spread of extremism. Also, enumerate the steps taken by the central government to address issues in Naxal-affected areas. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction
- Development is a holistic process that takes the interests of all stakeholders into account. But when some sections of society do not get the benefits of development and support from the administration, there is resistance from citizens, which sometimes takes the shape of extremist actions.
Main Body
- The link between development and the spread of extremism can be seen in the following ways-
- Most areas with unemployment, chronic poverty, and poor social indicators since decades compel people to take up extreme measures to make the government hear their demands. This is a reason why Naxalism or left wing extremism started in the first place.
- Tribal issues like the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 which prevented them from using forest produce and tribal displacement due to development projects and mining resulted in distrust and alienation of these tribes who later took extreme measures.
- Social discrimination based on caste, region and religion of marginalized communities and tribes has also added to naxalism and insurgency.
- Poor administration and inefficient governance in remote interior areas along with lax implementation of government schemes has repeatedly caused suffering among people.
- Tourism in restricted and pristine areas has affected tribal ways of life due to westernization and commercialization.
- To address these issues, government has launched some schemes and welfare programs like-
- Security Related Expenditure scheme by central government under which state governments of 10 LWE affected areas get expenditure incurred on training and operational needs of security forces.
- Special Central Assistance and Special Infrastructure Scheme for LWE affected districts, as part of the umbrella scheme ‘Modernization of Police Forces’. Scheme of 400 fortified police stations in LWE affected States.
- Aspirational Districts Programme of Ministry of Home Affairs in five critical areas to ensure holistic development according to the spirit of competitive federalism.
- Eklavya modern residential schools, Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jan Jatiya Vikas Mission for overall socio economic development.
- Civic Action Programme to bridge trust deficit between security forces and citizens through participation and interaction.
- Road Requirement Plan-I and Road Connectivity Project for LWE affected districts.
Conclusion
- People in naxal areas face a dual brunt of inaccessible government support and exploitation by local powerful groups. There is a need to make constitutional and civil rights effective to bridge trust deficit. For infrastructural and mining projects, EIA needs to be undertaken with objectivity and transparency.
2. Non-state actors are detrimental to the internal security of India. Discuss how various non-state actors have impacted the internal security of India. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction
- Non-state actors are informal groups of people or individuals without any formal backing but have substantial influence on international events. Some of them are civil society organisations, extremist outfits, lobbyists, multinational companies etc.
Main Body
- Due to the informal, scattered and rogue nature of the non-state actors, it is difficult to make them accountable for their actions. And even if made accountable, it is not easy to punish or take legal action against them. Non-state actors have impacted the internal security of India by-
- Terrorism is the biggest threat due to the various modes it can opt for. Non-state actors operating from Pakistan, like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad etc are a continuous threat.
- Insurgency and Naxalism are other issues that arose due to perceived development deficit and have festered due to external help. North-East suffers from insurgency and the red corridor from Naxalism with the support of China.
- Fake Indian currency note is another menace that facilitates black money and money laundering, which further fosters terrorism.
- There are well-organized financial networks and sophisticated techniques that are used to deal in bio chemical weapons and drug trafficking. All this money is integrated into the legal financial system to create instabilities.
- India is between the golden crescent and the golden triangle which are 2 of the three highest drug cultivation areas.
- India is highly impacted by communalism and this is cashed in by propagandists across the borders with the only aim of destabilizing India.
- Cybersecurity is an evolving area of concern that is not only restricted to hacking personal or office computers. It also encompasses ATM skimming, hacking of power grids, nuclear installations and other critical infrastructure. The recent hacking of the AIIMS Delhi website and the leaking of patient data is a glaring example.
Conclusion
- National and internal security is a comprehensive area and needs to be tackled with a holistic approach. There needs to be global definition of terrorism and members in agencies like FATF must work in unison to ensure non-state actors are brought to book for their misdeeds.
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