An overview of the current security scenario reveals that there are reportedly various sleeper cells of different terrorists groups being active across the country. They are believed to be scouting for recruits with background in biological and biotechnology field. However, there is no concrete proof of this, as ascertained from the official sources in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Nevertheless, reports received from the intelligence agencies suggest the involvement of neighbouring foreign countries in the terrorist activities in the country. The country’s hinterland continues to be the prime focus of Pakistan based terrorists outfits, especially the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Indian Mujahidin (IM). These and other Pakistan based terrorists organizations are setting up their terror infrastructure in Bangladesh and using the porous Bangladesh-India borders to send arms and ammunitions into India. Besides, India-Nepal borders are being used for infiltration and exfiltration of manpower, arms and ammunition into India.

At the global level, concerted efforts are afoot by India to tackle terrorism by raising the issue at various international fora through bilateral and multi-lateral dialogues. India has, so far, Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism with 25 countries in addition to with European Union and BIMSTEC for coordinating counter terrorism efforts and enhancing cooperation. Such coordinating arrangements are poised to be enhanced internationally in the days to come. Further, the Government of India has been raising the issues of terrorism consistently at multi-lateral international platforms as well. These are utilized to make efforts for intensifying cooperation in financing of terrorism, counterfeit currency capacity building, sharing of information and its analysis and exchange of best practices including mutual legal assistance and extradition agreements.

Broadly speaking, security has multiple aspects. Some prominent areas relate to response to mass casualty events, maritime security and law enforcement (passenger and cargo security), surveillance and command control in urban policing, security and law enforcement in mass transit system, lawful interception (intelligence) and investigation, crime, investigation and forensic, and community policing. These help in tackling the internal security challenges.

Whatever it be, Police and Public Order being the State Subject in the scheme of the Constitution of India read with the rule of law based system of democratic governance, without the States being on board, the Central Government’s measures to strengthen internal security cannot succeed meaningfully.

Terrorism is two facet- cross border terrorism and home grown terrorism. Tackling the first is very challenging, while still more daunting task is to tackle the homegrown terrorism. These together with the left-wing extremism and religious bigotry of all kinds have threatened peace and harmony, stunting progress of the nation. It’s time all sections of the society rose in unison to face the challenges of tackling such menace!