Terrorism in India

Terrorism in India can be attributed to India's status as the second most populous country in the world, with diverse cultures, languages, traditions and customs. Although diversity is an asset, friction often arises. Different cultures in India are associated with differing ideologies, further causing regionalism. Whether it is Kashmir, the northeast region of the country, the southern states or the northwest area, each corner of India has seen and experienced the consequences of regionalism, which a contributing factor to increasing terrorist activities and militancy in India.

Religion has also played its role in contributing to the rise of terrorism. The demolition of the Babri Masjid marked the rise of religious fundamentalists in the country. Terrorism in the name of religion has become India's foremost concern. The Bombay Blasts in 1993 and the Gujarat Riots in 2002, clearly depicts the seriousness of the issue.

The Northeast

Northeast India consists 7 states (also known as the seven sisters): Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland. Tensions exists between these states and the central government as well as amongst the tribal people, who are natives of these states, and migrant peoples from other parts of India. The states have accused New Delhi of ignoring the issues concerning them. It is this feeling which has led the natives of these states to seek greater participation in self-governance. There also existing territorial disputes between Manipur and Nagaland. There is a rise of insurgents activities and regional movements in the northeast, especially in the states of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura. Most of these organizations demand independent state status or increased regional autonomy and sovereignty.

Nagaland

The first and perhaps the most significant insurgency was in Nagaland from the early 1950s until it was finally quelled in the early 1980s through a mixture of repression and cooptation. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), demands an independent Nagaland and has carried out several attacks on Indian military installations in the region. On June 14, 2001, a cease-fire agreement was signed between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM which had recieved widespead approval and support in Nagaland. Terrorist outfits such as the Naga National Council-Federal (NNC-F) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) also welcomed the development. Certain neighbouring states, especially Manipur, raised serious concerns over the cease-fire. They feared that NSCN would continue insurgent activities in its state and demanded New Delhi scrap the ceasefire deal and renew military action. Despite the cease-fire the NSCN has continued its insurgency. According to government officials, 599 civilians, 235 security forces and 862 terrorists have lost their lives between 1992 and 2000.

Assam

After Nagaland, Assam is the most volatile state in the region. In the late 1980s, indigenous assamese movements demanded the withdrawal of the Bengali people who emmigrated from Bangladesh to Assam. This led to high tensions between the Assamese and the Bengalis in the state. The detoriating situation compelled New Delhi to intervene, following which it deployed troops along the Indo-Bangla border to check on illegal immigration. Various rounds of negotiations between the United Liberation Front of Assam and two successive central governments resulted in the Assam Accord of August 15, 1985. Under the provisions of this accord, anyone who entered the state illegally between January 1966 and March 1971 were allowed to remain but were disenfranchised for ten years, while those who entered after 1971 faced expulsion. A November 1985 amendment to the Indian citizenship law allows noncitizens who entered Assam between 1961 and 1971 to have all the rights of citizenship except the right to vote for a period of ten years. New Delhi also gave special admistration autonomy to the Bodos in the state. However, the Bodos demanded for a separate Bodoland which led to clash between the Bengalis, the Bodos and the Indian military resulting in hundreds of deaths.

There are several organizations which advocate the independence of Assam. The most prominent of which is the ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom). Formed in 1971, the ULFA has two main goals, the independence of Assam and the establishment of a socialist government. The ULFA has carried out several terrorist attacks in the region targetting the Indian Military and noncombattants. The group assassinates political opponents, attacks police and other security forces, blasts railroad tracks, and attacks other infrastructure facilities. The ULFA is believed to have strong links with Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), Maoists and the Naxalites. It is also believed that they carry out most of their operations from the Kingdom of Bhutan. Because of ULFA's increased visibility, the Indian government outlawed the group in 1986 and declared Assam a troubled area. Under pressure from New Delhi, Bhutan carried a massive operation to drive out the ULFA militants from its territory. Backed by the Indian Army, Thimphu was sucessful in killing more than a thousand terrorists and extraditing many more to India while sustaining only 120 casualties. The Indian military undertook several successful operations aimed at countering future ULFA terrorist attacks, but the ULFA continues to be active in the region. In 2004, the ULFA targeted a public school in Assam killing 19 children and 5 adults.

Assam remains the only state in the northeast where terrorism is still a major issue. The Indian Military was sucessfull in dismantling terrorist outfits in other areas, but have been criticized by human rights groups for allegedly using harsh methods when dealing with terrorists.

Tripura

Tripura witnessed a surge in terrorist activities in the 1990s. New Delhi blamed Bangladesh for providing a safe haven to the insurgents operating from its territory. The area under control of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council was increased after an tripartite agreement between New Delhi, Tripura state government, and the Council. Since then the movement has been brought under control by the government though certain faction still linger.

Manipur

In Manipur, militants formed an organisation known as People's Liberation Army. Their main goal was to unite the Meitei tribes of Burma and establish an independent state of Manipur. However, the movement was suppressed after a fierce clash with Indian security forces in mid 1990s

Mizoram

The Mizo National Front fought for over 2 decades with the Indian Military in an effort to gain independence. As in neighbouring states the insurgency was quelled by force.

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is the only southern state that is bothered by terrorism, although of a far different and less malignant kind. The terrorism in this state stems from the PWG popularly known as Naxalites in the state. The People's War Group or PWG, has been operating in India for over two decades with most if its operations in the Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh. The group is also active in Orissa and Bihar. Unlike the Kashmiri insurgents and ULFA, PWG is a Maoist terrorist organisation and labor rights is one of its primary goals. These idelogical extremists aim to create equality in the society by attacking the rich and powerful landlords. Having failed to capture popular support in the elections, they resorted to violence as a means to voice their opinions. The group targets Indian Police, multinational companies, landlords and other influential institutions in the name of the rights of landless labor. PWG has also targeted senior government officials, including the attempted assassination of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. It reportedly has a strength of 800 to 1,000 well armed militias and is believed to have close links with the Maoists in Nepal and the LTTE of Sri Lanka. According to the Indian government, on an average, more than 60 civilians, 60 naxal rebels and a dozen policemen are killed every year because of PWG led insurgency. Currently the ban on the Naxalites has been lifted in the state which has led to a drastic drop in killings.

Jammu & Kashmir

Main Article: Terrorism in Kashmir

Punjab

During the 1970s, the Green Revolution brought increased economic prosperity for the Sikh community in Punjab. This propensity rekindled an age-old fear in the Sikh community - that of being absorbed into the Hindu fold and led to the rise of Sikh extremists. The insurgency intensified during 1980s when the movement turned violent and the name Khalistan resurfaced and sought independence from the Indian Union. Led by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwalea politically ambitious itinerant Sikh preacher, they soon adopted voilent methods to stress on their demands. Soon things turned bloody with the movement turning into terrorism, with India alleging that neighbouring Pakistan supported these rebels. In 1984, Operation Blue Star by the Indian government to stem out the movement. After intense clashes with the Indian military, Bhindranwale and his followers, who had taken refuge in the Golden Temple complex, Sikhism's most holy shrine, in Amritsar, Punjab. Indira Gandhi, India's then prime minister, ordered the military to storm the temple. After a twenty-four-hour firefight, the army successfully took control of the temple. According to Indian government sources, eighty-three army personnel were killed and 249 injured. Insurgent casualties were 493 killed and eighty-six injured. Indian observers assert that the number of Sikh casualties was probably higher.

During same year, the assassination of Indira Gandhi by two Sikh bodyguards, believed to be driven by the Golden Temple affair, resulted in widespread anti-Sikh riots, especially in New Delhi. Several thousand sikhs were assassinated during the riots, often regarded as the worst in Indian history. New Delhi police did little to stop the anti-sikh mob. Law and order was restored in the capital only after deployment of the army. Fuelled by the riots, Sikh extremists planted a bomb on Air India Flight 182 which exploded over the Irish Sea, killing all 329 aboard. The tragedy remained the biggest aviation disaster until the 9/11 attack. Since then the Punjab Police under K.P.S.Gill and the Indian Army lead a successful series of campaigns to weed out the limited support base of the terrorists. By the mid-1990s, Punjab once again became peaceful and the economic boom of the nation quelled any lingering separatist ideas.

Bihar

Although terrorism is not considered a major issue in the state, existance of certain groups like the Randhir group and Balbir militias is a major concern as they frequently attack local policemen and politicians. It is believed that Randhir group has established its self-proclaimed rule in more than 14 villages. Poor governance and the law and order system in the state has helped increase the menace caused by the group. Randhir Group is also alleged to have close links with the Naxalites.

See also

• Operation Bluestar
• Terrorism in Kashmir
• Naxalites
• Lashkar-e-Toiba
• Bombay Blasts