Internal Security
Ans :-Section 111 of the (BNS) defines organized crime as any continuing unlawful activity committed by a group of individuals acting in concert, either singly or jointly as members of organized crime syndicate (or on its behalf) and uses violence, coercion etc. to obtain material benefit. While Section 113 of the BNS defines terrorism as any act with the intent to threaten the unity, integrity, sovereignty, security, or economic security of India.
The linkage between organized crime and terrorism poses challenges to internal security of the country: -
1. Convergence of interests through shared goals (destabilization, financial gain) and jointness of operations (narco-terrorism, money laundering through hawala networks) acts as a threat multiplier
2. terrorists use tactics of
organized crime for fundraising (drug trafficking by terrorist groups in Afghanistan);
3. terrorists provide arms support to organized crime activities.
4. complex web of inter-linkages creates challenges for law enforcement agencies (investigation, prosecution);
5. disruption of local business
environment (e.g., protection money) threatens the economic security
6. transnational character of operations poses challenges for border management.
7. Can lead to delinquency of youth (substance abuse, glamorization of crime), a threat to societal progress .
8. threat to democratic processes and institutions and criminalization of political discourse;
9. affects the integrity of social fabric (demonization of certain populations, normalization of violence).
Following steps can be taken to tackle this nexus and the threats emerging from it:-
1. Improving coordination among multiple security agencies [intelligence sharing through NATGRID, conducting joint operations];
2. monitoring financing channels through stronger financial intelligence (FIU-IND, stricter KYC norms), law enforcement (PMLA) and global cooperation (FATF’s AML-CFT
regime, NMFT conference);
3. capacity building of law enforcement agencies to deal with emerging threats (cyber slavery, cyber espionage).
4. Strengthening legislative framework (UAPA Amendment 2019, NIA Amendment 2019)
5. improving border management (CIBMS) and coastal security (coastal security scheme); curbing online radicalization through social media
monitoring (Intermediary guidelines);
6. counter radicalization programs (Operation Sahi Raasta) that aim at rehabilitation of misguided youth.
7. Addressing the socio-economic drivers of organized crimes (poverty, discrimination, etc
8. spreading public awareness by countering extremist propaganda and fake news;
9. usage of modern technology for disruption of linkages (AI, ML, blockchain);
10. community engagement (Operation Sadbhavana) to prevent infiltration of radical elements and strengthen human intelligence.
11. The crime-terror nexus multiplies threats to internal security by combining violence, corruption, and illicit economies.
A holistic approach (integrating legal, financial, technological, and community-based measures) is essential to dismantle this alliance.