The national and state intelligence agencies have done a remarkable job in rounding up sympathisers of the terrorist outfit ISIS. The patient work behind the scenes and undercover has led to the threats of those plotting to destroy India’s peace and harmony being defused in time. What the coordinated operation across the nation points to is we cannot be in denial anymore about certain ideologies and theologies appealing so much as to radicalise impressionable youth.
The warning that comes with the revelations about the plotters is India cannot let its guard down even for a second. While “thana”, or station level, policing, which used to be the first line of intelligence gathering about the community, has lost its efficiency due to various factors, it has become all the more important now to have a national database linked in real time to gather information and counter such threats. In this regard, the national counter-terrorism organisation proposed by the previous government was a very good idea, one worth pursuing even now when the threat perception has increased manifold.
Keeping the police and intelligence forces well energised and equipped with arms for rapid response is the need of the hour. And yet, at the same time, counter-terrorism forces should not target certain communities just because more of their members are seen to be behind such events. Terrorism is terrorism and has no religion, but it must be rooted out because it poses the greatest threat to society today. Policing is by no means easy, which is why we need the best of men, resources and equipment to be at the task 24x7.
