Internal Security in India

Important Aspects of Internal Security

Upholding the rules and laws made by the authority.
Accepting the sovereign power of people.
Protecting India’s national sovereignty.
Securing the territorial integrity of India.
Promoting India’s rise to its rightful place in international affairs.
Ensuring a peaceful internal environment within India.
Creating a climate for our citizens that is just, equitable, prosperous, and shields them from risks to life and livelihood.

Challenges to India’s Internal Security

Naxalism
- One of the key security threats primarily affects central India is Naxalism which is Left Wing Extremism which is based on Maoist ideology.
- It is evident in the Red Corridor spreading states like Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.
Terrorism
- An offense to intimidate a population or to compel a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act.
- Reasons for prevalence
  - State sponsorship and safe havens.
  - State-of-the-art communication systems.
  - Access to advanced technology.
  - Networking of terrorist groups with the criminal underworld.
- For example – Cross-Border terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir.
Insurgency
- Insurgency in Northeast India involves multiple armed factions among which some favour a separate state while others seek regional autonomy.
- Some groups demand complete independence.
Separatist Movements
- Separatist feelings are evident in some states of India, notably Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Assam.
Illegal Migration
- Illegal migration may cause violent clashes between migrants and people who used to live in that place.
- For example – Illegal migration from Bangladesh resulted in communal violence in Assam
- Another issue of illegal migration is that anti-national elements may use the migrants as a proxy for illegal activities like smuggling and intrusion of terror groups. For example – Cybercrime, Rohingya from Myanmar.
Drug Trafficking
- Drug trafficking is one of the key issues is the way smuggling of drugs and money generated to routed to terror outfits which further aggravates the issue of terrorism in the country.
- One of the key hubs of drug trafficking in India is Punjab where drugs come from the Golden Crescent region.
Regionalism
- Regionalism is the expression of a common sense of identity and purpose by people within a specific geographical region, united by its unique language, culture etc.
- For example – Dravidian movement in South India.
Communalism
- Communalism is one of the black clouds that spread over social harmony which emerged as part of vote bank politics.
- It is evident through the various incidents like mob lynching death. For example – the Dadri lynching case in 2015.
Money Laundering
- Money laundering is the process by which a large amount of illegally obtained money, from drug trafficking, terrorist activity, or other serious crimes, is given the appearance of having originated from a legitimate source.

Government Measures to Counter Internal Security Challenges

Measures	Examples
Strengthening Law Enforcement Agencies	Increasing police personnel, modernising equipment and infrastructure, establishing specialised agencies such as NIA and NSG.
Improving Intelligence Gathering and Sharing	Establishing Multi Agency Centers and Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), setting up National Cyber Coordination Center (NCCC), and deploying UAVs and other surveillance technologies.
Strengthening Border Security	Building border fencing, deploying Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, establishing Integrated Check Post ( ICPs). Border village development programmes like Vibrant Village Program.
Counter Terrorism and Naxalism	Strengthening anti-terrorism laws, engaging in dialogue with Naxalite groups, and launching counter-terrorism operations. For example – National Security Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)
Promoting Community Policing and Public Awareness	Establishing community policing programs, launching public awareness campaigns, and encouraging public participation.