Counter-Terrorism: Youth Recruitment & Strategy

Raman is a senior IPS officer and has recently been posted as D.G. of a state. Among the various issues and problems/challenges which needed his immediate attention, the issue relating to recruitment of unemployed youth by an unknown terrorist group, was a matter of grave concern. It was noted that unemployment was relatively high in the state. The problem of unemployment amongst graduates and those with higher education was much more grave. Thus they were vulnerable and soft targets. In the review meeting taken by him with senior officers of DIG Range and above, it came to light that a new terrorist group has emerged at the global level. It has launched a massive drive to recruit young unemployed people. Special focus was to pick young people from a particular community. The said organisation seemed to have the clear objective of utilising/using them for carrying out militant activities. It was also gathered that the said (new) group is desperately trying to spread its tentacles in his state. A definite/reliable intelligence tip was received by the State CID and Cyber Cell that a large number of such unemployed youth have already been contacted by the terrorist outfit/group through social media and local communal organisations and other contacts. The need of the hour was to act swiftly and to check these elements/designs before they assume serious proportions. Discrete inquiries made by the police, through the Cyber Cell, revealed that good numbers of unemployed youth are very active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. On an average, many of them were spending 6-8 hours each day, using electronic devices/internet, etc. It also came to light that such unemployed youth were showing sympathy and endorsing the messages received from certain persons, allegedly the contact persons of that global terrorist group. Their social media accounts revealed their strong affinity to such groups inasmuch as many of them started forwarding anti-national tweets on their WhatsApp and Facebook, etc. It seemed that they succumbed to their ploy and started propagating secessionist ideology. Their posts were hyper-critical of the government's initiatives, policies and subscribing to extreme beliefs and promoting extremism. (a) What are the options available to Raman to tackle the above situation? (b) What measures would you suggest for strengthening the existing set-up to ensure that such groups do not succeed in penetrating and vitiating the atmosphere in the state? (c) In the above scenario, what action plan would you advise for enhancing the intelligence gathering mechanism of the police force?

How to Approach

This question requires a multi-faceted response addressing a complex security and governance challenge. The approach should be structured around the three sub-questions: options for the DG, measures to strengthen the existing setup, and enhancing intelligence gathering. The answer should demonstrate an understanding of radicalization, counter-terrorism strategies, and the role of technology. A focus on proactive, community-based approaches and legal frameworks is crucial. The answer should also highlight the importance of inter-agency coordination and rehabilitation programs.

Model Answer

0 min read

Introduction

The increasing vulnerability of unemployed youth to radicalization by terrorist groups is a significant internal security threat in India. Factors like socio-economic deprivation, coupled with the pervasive influence of online propaganda, create a fertile ground for recruitment. The recent emergence of global terrorist groups actively targeting vulnerable populations necessitates a comprehensive and proactive response. This situation demands a nuanced strategy that combines robust law enforcement measures with socio-economic interventions and community engagement, recognizing that a purely security-focused approach is unlikely to yield sustainable results. The case presented highlights the urgent need for a multi-pronged strategy to counter this emerging threat.

(a) Options Available to Raman to Tackle the Situation

Raman, as the DG, has several options:

Enhanced Surveillance & Investigation: Utilizing the Cyber Cell to monitor social media activity, identify potential recruits, and track the network of contact persons. This must be done within the legal framework, respecting privacy rights.
Community Policing & Outreach: Building trust with the affected community through regular interactions, addressing their grievances, and involving local leaders in the counter-radicalization efforts.
Targeted Counseling & Rehabilitation: Identifying youth showing signs of radicalization and offering them counseling, skill development programs, and employment opportunities.
Collaboration with Intelligence Agencies: Strengthening coordination with central intelligence agencies like the NIA and IB to gather more information about the terrorist group’s activities and strategies.
Strict Enforcement of Law: Taking swift and decisive action against individuals involved in spreading secessionist ideology or providing support to the terrorist group, adhering to due process.

(b) Measures for Strengthening the Existing Setup

To prevent future penetration and vitiation of the atmosphere, the following measures are crucial:

Strengthening Cyber Security Infrastructure: Investing in advanced technologies to detect and remove extremist content from social media platforms. Collaboration with social media companies is essential.
Capacity Building of Police Force: Providing specialized training to police personnel on counter-terrorism, cybercrime investigation, and community policing.
Employment Generation Programs: Implementing targeted employment schemes for unemployed youth, particularly graduates, in the affected areas. The ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ (PMKVY) can be leveraged.
Education & Awareness Campaigns: Conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of radicalization and the importance of reporting suspicious activities.
Inter-Agency Coordination: Establishing a dedicated task force comprising representatives from the police, intelligence agencies, and other relevant departments to ensure seamless coordination.
De-radicalization Programs: Developing and implementing comprehensive de-radicalization programs that address the underlying factors contributing to extremism.

(c) Action Plan for Enhancing Intelligence Gathering

To enhance intelligence gathering, Raman should advise the following action plan:

Human Intelligence (HUMINT): Developing a network of informants within the community and utilizing local intelligence units to gather information about the terrorist group’s activities.
Technical Intelligence (TECHINT): Strengthening the Cyber Cell’s capabilities to monitor social media, intercept communications, and track online transactions.
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): Utilizing publicly available information, such as social media posts, news articles, and online forums, to gather intelligence.
Data Analytics: Employing data analytics techniques to identify patterns and trends in social media activity that may indicate radicalization.
Regular Intelligence Sharing: Establishing a robust mechanism for sharing intelligence with other states and central agencies.
Focus on Local Communal Organizations: Discreetly investigate the role of local communal organizations that may be unwittingly or deliberately facilitating the terrorist group’s recruitment efforts.

Furthermore, establishing a dedicated ‘Counter Terrorism and Radicalization Unit’ within the state police, equipped with specialized skills and resources, would be beneficial. This unit should be responsible for coordinating all counter-terrorism efforts and ensuring effective intelligence gathering.

Conclusion

Addressing the issue of youth radicalization requires a holistic and sustained approach. While law enforcement measures are necessary, they must be complemented by socio-economic interventions, community engagement, and robust intelligence gathering. Strengthening the existing setup through capacity building, inter-agency coordination, and proactive employment generation programs is crucial. A long-term strategy focused on addressing the root causes of radicalization and promoting inclusive development is essential to prevent terrorist groups from gaining a foothold in the state and ensuring lasting peace and security.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

Evaluate your handwritten answer in under a minute

Free trial available • Trusted by 1,00,000+ aspirants

Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Radicalization

The process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals and aspirations that reject or undermine the status quo or commonly accepted norms.

De-radicalization

The process of disengaging individuals from extremist ideologies and behaviors, and reintegrating them into mainstream society.

Key Statistics

As per a 2023 report by the Institute for Conflict Management, there has been a 35% increase in the number of youth arrested for alleged links to terrorist organizations in India over the past five years.

Source: Institute for Conflict Management (2023)

According to a 2022 report by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), over 130 Indians have joined ISIS since 2014.

Source: National Investigation Agency (2022)

Examples

Kerala Love Jihad Cases

Several cases in Kerala have highlighted the vulnerability of young women to being lured into relationships by individuals with alleged links to extremist organizations, raising concerns about radicalization and forced conversions.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What is the role of social media in radicalization?

Social media platforms provide a fertile ground for terrorist groups to spread propaganda, recruit new members, and radicalize vulnerable individuals. The anonymity and echo chambers created by these platforms can amplify extremist views and facilitate the spread of misinformation.

Topics Covered

SecurityGovernanceSocial IssuesCounter-TerrorismYouth DevelopmentCyber Security

Back to all GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-IV 2024 questions