Tackling Terrorism in India: Causes, Funding, and Solutions

Q: The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding? 
 

Answer: Terrorism is use of fear, terror and violence to achieve one’s objective. After the rise of ISIS to control terrorism has become further challenging. 
 

Solution to the growing menace of terrorism
 

The very first and essential step to solve terrorism is to have an objective and very broad definition of terrorism. Small form of terrorism or precursor to terrorism are not at all considered terrorism by many. This leads to sowing of seeds of terrorism. 

We need to focus on the security aspect and social aspect to solve terrorism. Security surveillance on borders should be modernized. Crime and criminal tracking network should be implemented throughout the country to monitor crime and terrorism in real time. Effective control on arms smuggling should be done.

Apart from above, laws should be made stricter. Bail should be denied in case of terrorism. Laws should be drafted for effective surveillance of digital world where terrorist organizations leave definite trail of their activity.

Apart from security aspect, society also needs attention. Deradicalization of society should be done. Youth educational institutions should be the focus of deradicalization programmes. Secularization of administration and politics be achieved in letter and spirit. 
 

Major sources of terrorist funding 
 

• External sources of funding are the major sources to fund terror. Many states provide such terror funding. Even arms industries are also alleged to be funding terror to support their business.
• Money laundering and Tax Havens are also involved in funding terrorism. Evidences of terror funding were also unearthed by the Panama Paper leaks. Fake currency is also a big source. 
• Drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms smuggling and extortion are the major source. Now they are also generating resources from trade in illegal wildlife products.
• Resources generated from various sources are channelized through digital means and laundered to the terror organizations.