India’s Islamist challenge

22 Nov 2022 India’s Islamist challenge

Significance for Prelims: Hybrid Militant; Over Ground Workers (OGWs)

Significance for Mains: Rise in terror incidents and methods to tackle terrorism. 

News: Explosions in Coimbatore and Mangaluru is a sign of radicalisation among some section of Muslims and point to India’s Islamist challenge. 

Case of Mengaluru Blasts: Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Praveen Sood called Mengaluru blasts an “act of terror”. 

• On 19th November, a blast occurred in an autorickshaw in front of Kankanadi police station in Mangaluru injuring the auto driver, and the passenger. Passenger  Shariq is suspected to be the main accused.
• According to the investigator, Mohammed Shariq was allegedly carrying the improvised explosive device (IED) in a pressure cooker in an autorickshaw.
• Investigators were probing his ideological link with the Islamic State. 
• Police conducted searches at more than seven places in Karnataka and they are also probing Mohammed Shariq’s links with Jameesha Mubin who was responsible for the Coimbatore blast in Tamil Nadu on October 23.
• According to the police, Shariq had earlier experimented with bombs in the Shivamogga district and before that he had travelled to Tamil Nadu and Kerala. 
• Investigators are linking Mengaluru blasts with Coimbatore blasts: The police believe that the accused will reveal more information. Investigators too are linking the Mangaluru blasts with the Coimbatore blast as police had recovered 75 kg of explosives from the house of Mubin. 

 Cause for worry due to Mengaluru blasts: 

• The incident is a clear case of the rise of competitive communalism: In recent years Hindu and Muslim outfits have upped the ante in  Coastal Karanatkas. 
• Possibility of reversing the gains on the security front: In recent years, the Center noted a countrywide decline in terrorism incidents particularly of ‘jihadi terrorism. Data from the government shows that terror incidents have been contained in Jammu and Kashmir, the North East and Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected States.
• These incidents of terrorism happen despite there is the countrywide decline of terror incidents in any part of the country outside conflict zones of Jammu and Kashmir, the North East and Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected States

 Way forward: Keep the political rhetoric low and maintain peace and harmony through a conducive political environment. 

• Vigilance and the efficiency of investigative agencies can prevent terrorist incidents, and a conducive political environment is required to tackle underlying security challenges before the country.

Further readings:

1. Money Laundering
2. Various Security Agencies such as NIA, CAPF etc. 

UPSC Mains Question(2019):

1. The banning of ‘Jamaat-e-Islami’ in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency-affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize the influence of OGWs.

Source: The Hindu; Observer Research Foundation(ORF)

Articles: Signs of trouble: On explosions in Coimbatore and Mangaluru; ‘Hybrid’ and ‘OGW’: A thin line between militants and civilians in Kashmir

Article Link:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/signs-of-trouble-on-explosions-in-coimbatore-and-mangaluru/article66165635.ece 

https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/a-thin-line-between-militants-and-civilians-in-kashmir/

sharad