Vigil against terror is cost of freedom

The arrest of nine people with alleged links to terrorist organisation Al Qaeda from West Bengal and Kerala by the National investigation Agency ( NIA) points to the fact that India cannot let its guard down against terrorism sponsored from across the border. As per the agency, the arrested people, six from the border district of Murshidabad in West Bengal and three from Ernakulam in Kerala, were part of an inter- state module. The revelation that it has presence in many states calls for heightened vigil by the state governments. It is incumbent on the state governments to ensure that terrorist organisations do not get to access people, especially the youth, and take them on the path of destruction. Well- planned and coordinated campaigns to make them aware of the perils of terrorism and the disastrous consequences it will have on them and their societies must be rolled out. The Kerala government, which has implemented many a plan for the welfare of the guest workers, must also ensure that terrorist elements do not intrude into the state in various routes.

The international community has been successfully fighting terrorism in the last two decades by denying it access to funds and weapons. The NIA’s claim that the module was actively indulging in fund- raising locally is perhaps pointing to the fact that India has also successfully blocked the channels of terror funding. That the suspected terrorists were armed with crude weapons and the reports that they were planning to use potassium chlorate gleaned from firecrackers for bombs indicate that their handlers have not been able to supply them with sophisticated weapons. The government must tighten the processes by taking cues from international agencies and ensure that the potential terrorists are stopped in their tracks for want of money and weapons.

There, however, is no reason to be complacent. The haul of digital devices, sharp weapons, country- made firearms, locally- fabricated body armour and articles and literature used for home- made explosive devices signals the fact that the agents of terror have been successful in radicalising youth over social media to such an extent that they are willing to stake their lives and strike terror with locally available weapons. The NIA says that the alleged terrorists, who have been doing odd jobs as cooks and masons, have been targeting vital installations and innocent people in Indian cities; if that’s true, then it shows the desperation of their handlers, who will be pressured into doing desperate acts.

The arrests have kicked up a political storm in both the states, which will have elections to their assemblies in less than a year. The Opposition parties have blamed the state governments for intelligence failure. The Trinamul Congress has, on its part, said the failure of the Centre in guarding the borders with Bangladesh has resulted in the intrusion of undesirable elements into the country. The NIA can put paid to such political games by driving the terrorists out of their holes in other states, too. The job is far from over for the agency.

That the suspected terrorists were armed with crude weapons, and reports that they were planning to use potassium chlorate gleaned from firecrackers for bombs, indicate their handlers have not been able to supply them with sophisticated weapons