Terrorism
‘Terrorism is perhaps the most hated word in the modem age. It is particularly an anathema to those who have had personal experience of its diabolical dimensions.
Of late, terrorism has become a worldwide phenomenon. India had been telling the world of the large-scale destruction being caused to life and property in Kashmir by the Pakistan sponsored terrorists. But most of the western world had turned a blind eye to India’s pleadings. The west, particularly the USA, realized its taste when the (WTC) towers in America were leveled down through explosions caused by the sudden attacks by striking aeroplanes on them on 9th September 2001 (9/11). Thus, the 9/11 event opened the eyes of the world.
As a result of this 9/11 incident, America took up the task of defending the world and getting it rid of the scourge of terrorism. Accordingly, the American President in collaboration with the U.K Prime Minister Tony Blair drew up a road map of controlling and eliminating terrorism. A number of terrorist organizations, Al Qaeda being the most conspicuous among them, were banned. A number of countries were declared as the Axis of Evil. Afghanistan was attacked and the regime of the Taliban was brought to an end. But the most wanted terrorist, Osama Bin Laden could not be killed or captured.
Later, America attacked Iraq declaring that the country possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMID), although its dictatorial President Saddam Hussein denied it all along. The war was won. Later, two sons of Saddam Hussein were killed, though the President himself went underground. But, later in December 2003, he was captured in a dramatic manner in a hole under the earth.
In Kashmir, the terrorists have been playing havoc for about two decades. Thousands of terrorists themselves, members of security forces and innocent citizens, including men and women have been killed. Indian Parliament had to face a terrorist attack on 13th December 2001. Fortunately, the Parliament which was in session was saved but a number of security guards lost their lives.
Terrorism had its heyday in Punjab in the 1980s and in early 1990s, In Andhra Pradesh, we have Marxist terrorists (People’s War Group PW-G). In Assam and some other eastern State, we have ULFA, Bodo and other terrorists. In December 2003 there was a crack-down on ULFA terrorists in Bhutan who operated against India from that land.
In order to overcome the menace of terrorism, all the States in India and all the countries in the world should join hands to form a concerted coordinated policy.
