Subject: GS 3
Syllabus: Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas. Linkages of Organised Crime with Terrorism. Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.
Questions
- Critically examine the role of paramilitary forces in tackling the various issues of internal security. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
- Write a brief note on linkages between organized crime and terrorism. Also discuss the challenges involved in combating them in case of India. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Model Structure
1. Critically examine the role of paramilitary forces in tackling the various issues of internal security. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction:
- Indian armed forces largely consist of the Defence forces, Paramilitary forces and Strategic Command forces. All these forces play a major role in ensuring national security. However, the Paramilitary forces are the semi-militarised forces used for both national security and other specific roles.
Main Body:
Role of paramilitary forces:
- The crusade against Naxalism: The forces, especially the Assam Rifles and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Forces) are deployed in insurgency areas like Bastar, Bodo area and in the Borders of Nagaland to neutralise the risk posed by Naxals.
- Organised crime: Drug trafficking, human and animal trafficking, extortion and carried at international borders of Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
- This is because of the long porous border. Forces like the ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Forces) and the BSF are specialised in countering such organised crimes.
- Transnational crime: As India shares a large, porous border, the militants create turmoil in the nation and hide out in neighbouring countries.
- The paramilitary forces conduct operations like “Operation Sunrise” along with the Myanmar army to tackle the militants.
- Disaster management: Although they serve the borders but yet they are aware of internal issues like natural disasters.
- When flash floods broke out in Uttarakhand, ITBP was the first responder and many CRPF jawans were airlifted to Kerala during the 2018 floods.
- Law and order: Generally, “Law and Order” is a state subject and is under the jurisdiction of the State Police.
- But under extraordinary circumstances, when the state police lack the resources and expertise, the paramilitary forces are deployed. In the recent COVID pandemic, we observed paramilitary forces deployed in multiple cities to support state machinery. They are also used during elections and riot control operations.
Some of the issues associated with these forces:
- AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Power Act): This act provides special powers and immunity to the forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”.
- But this act is also infamous for the violation of human rights and basic fundamental rights by a few personnel of the armed forces. Even the National Human Rights Commission noticed a few issues of violation.
- Modernisation of the forces: Only a few forces, like the NSG (National Security Guard) are trained in modern lines with advanced weaponry.
- The recent death of four CRPF jawans amidst the West Bengal election also highlights the lack of modern weapons in comparison with the insurgents.
- Burdened by the state's responsibilities: As several states go to election mode every year, a large chunk of the paramilitary is deployed in routine election activities.
- Thus, the sole purpose of hire ie- the internal security of the nation is at risk. This year, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry went for elections demanding massive forces.
- Cadre management and Working conditions: The standing committee on Home Affairs also expressed its concern over 16 to 18 hours of working conditions and dominance of IPS (Indian Police Service) Officers in top posts of the paramilitary, leading to alienation of the personnel.
Way forward:
- Rationalisation of forces: The number of Battalions should be increased, and the carers should be specialised in matters of internal security, like Disaster response and Crowd management.
- Interoperability: Regular training and coordination between the civil forces (ie-state police) and paramilitary forces to enhance the interoperability.
- Mental well-being: Nearly 140 CAPF Jawans lost life in 2019 due to mental health and other health diseases, thus it is high time to focus on mental health by introducing counselling, yoga and other allied activities.
Conclusion:
- Paramilitary forces are the main forces to tackle internal security issues; they are specialised and carry a versatile experience in internal security.
- The recent amendments, like the post of IG (Inspector General) to be filled from personnel of the same forces, are a welcome step. Upgradation of state police to a specialised form like GreyHounds in Andhra Pradesh can also assist the paramilitary forces.
2. Write a brief note on linkages between organized crime and terrorism. Also discuss the challenges involved in combating them in case of India. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction
- Organised crime is a well-planned and sophisticated method of transnational, national, or local crime, including highly centralised illegal operations.
Main Body
- Organised crime and terrorism are linked and feed from each other to further their prime objectives. Some ways in which they both help each other include-
- Organised crime syndicates have better access to money and arms. They are also involved in lobbying and have links with politicians to further their interests as well as of terrorists.
- They also provide logistics support and safe passage to terrorist groups. E.g.- Madrid terror attacks in which Al Qaeda got support from Eastern European organised crime syndicates.
- Terrorist groups, on the other hand, provide protection to organised crime syndicates.
- There are times when terror groups themselves conduct functions of organised crime groups. E.g.- ISIS capturing oil wells in Iraq and Taliban indulging in poppy cultivation.
- When the ideology of a terror group matches with that of an organised crime syndicate, it becomes even smoother and lethal. E.g.- Mumbai blasts of 1992-93 saw D-company supporting LeT to carry out attacks.
- In the case of northeast India, insurgent groups are involved in organised crime like drug trafficking and smuggling.
- Challenges in combating organised crime include-
- Indian Penal Code 1860 does not define organised crime and this lack of legal framework affects efforts to tackle it.
- Fragmentation of the administrative functions: Lack of cooperation and coordination between different agencies and units.
- Low police to population ratio, lack of modernisation of investigation agencies and dearth of mid-career training affect the efficiency of work.
- Criminalisation of politics and growing nexus among bureaucrats, organised criminals and politicians means strict laws are not passed to deal with this menace.
- Glorification of organised crime by movies and media has made this not become a public issue.
Conclusion
- India lies in a strategically volatile area, and there is a need to have strict laws to ensure better tackling of organised crime. Some laws passed by state governments include MCOCA, GCTOCA etc. Also, there is a need to improve cooperation between different agencies for better information sharing.
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