Author: Subodh Ghildiyal & Vishwa Mohan
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 1, 2006
The Centre has warned the states about the
lurking fear that terrorist groups, anxious to camouflage the trail linking
them to their sponsors in Pakistan, might increasingly resort to finding recruits
among locals.
While terrorists dipping into the growing
pool of radicalised youth is known, the Centre has come across indications
to suggest that they may look farther afield to find accessories among other
disaffected categories as well. Well-placed sources said the Centre was particularly
alarmed by preliminary indications about terrorists trying to link up with
Naxalites.
The fear found expression at a meeting of
Naxal-affected states under the banner of Coordination Centre. The meeting
saw director of Intelligence Bureau, E S L Narsimhan, attesting to the success
of jehadi tanzeems finding homegrown radicals ready to undertake diabolic
assignments against innocent civilians. Narsimhan pointed out that not a single
foreigner has been arrested in connection with the July attack on Mumbai,
in what he called a sign of "Indianisation" of terror.
The states were asked to keep a vigil on religious
fairs and gatherings which have emerged as targets to stoke communal clashes.
The possibility of Naxals linking up with
terrorist gangs has so far been discounted m the light of the ideological
disconnect with the "atheist" Naxals and the jehadis fired with
fundamentalist zeal of taking over the world. This incompatibility was stressed
by home secretary V K Duggal while interacting with the, media after the meeting.
But sources said the authorities were concerned
about Naxalites, with no stake in the "capitalist" Indian state,
unwittingly playing into the hands of terror groups, ever on the lookout for
accessories. The warning comes close on the heels of Nepalese Maoists leader
Prachanda's solidarity show for "those fighting for self-determination"
in J&K.
The meeting underscored that the drive against
the red ultras have often hit the buffers because of lack of coordination
between the states and central intelligence agencies.
The involvement of the IB in the interrogation
of Naxalites nabbed by state police personnel was suggested as a remedial
measure. Emphasis was laid on keeping a close vigil on the coastal areas to
prevent Left radicals from procuring arms and ammunition. Concern was expressed
about the possibility of Naxalites in Andhra Pradesh plunging into the movement
for a separate Telangana state which appears to be on the verge of being revived
after TRS' emit from the UPA coalition.