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Linkages between development and spread of extremismHome- grown outfits (Bajrang Dal, Indian Mujahedeen etc.)Naxalite movementThe Draft National Policy to Combat Left Wing Extremist Insurgency is still awaiting approval from the parliamentMore than 90% of our coal, over 50% of all minerals, and many prospective dam sites are located in adivasi areasInsurgencies in the north-east (Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram)Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal securityState actors: China, Pakistan (support Jaish-e-Muhammed, SIMI etc.), Bangladesh and Myanmar (house separatist forces like ULFA, NCSN), Nepal (Maoists), Afghanistan, Iran etc.Non- state actors: IS etc.Challenges to internal security through:Communication networksRole of media and social networking?sites in internal security challengesBasics of cyber securityAlso See: 2014, as per a study conducted by the Symantec called Internet Security Threat Report (ISTR), India was the second most targeted nation for cyber attacks, after the US. 6% of all global cyber attacks were directed against India.Cyberspace is “the total interconnectedness of human beings through computers and telecommunication without regard to physical geography. Cybercrimes consist of specific crimes dealing with computers and networks, such as hacking, phishing and the facilitation of traditional crime through the use of computers (child pornography, hate crimes, telemarketing/internet fraud)The digital networks on which we now rely for our daily lives transcend organisational and national boundaries. Events in cyberspace can happen at immense speed, outstripping traditional responses (for example, the exploitation of cyberspace can mean crimes such as fraud can be committed remotely, and on an industrial scale). Although we have ways of managing risks in cyberspace, they do not match this complex and dynamic environment.The Internet and digital technologies are transforming our society by driving economic growth, connecting people and providing new ways to communicate and co-operate with one another. The World Wide Web only began in 1991, but today 2 billion people are online1 – almost a third of the world’s population. $8?trillion changed hands last year in online?commerce. Real GDP per capita has risen by $500 over the last 15 years in mature countries enabled by the Internet. By comparison, it took 50 years for the industrial revolution to have the same effect. Cyberspace is transforming business, making it more efficient and effective. It is opening up markets, allowing commerce to take place at lower cost and enabling people to do business on the move. It has promoted fresh thinking, innovative business models and new sources of growth. Cyberspace also strengthens open societies. It acts as a vast repository for many forms of knowledge. It allows individuals to connect with one another, share ideas and express views, and take new approaches to shared problems.Unfortunately a growing number of adversaries are looking to use cyberspace to steal, compromise or destroy critical data. The scale of our dependence means that our prosperity, our key infrastructure, our places of work and our homes can all be affected.Some threats:Cyberspace is being used as a platform for committing crimes such as fraud, and on an industrial scale. Identity theft and fraud online now dwarf their offline equivalentsThe internet has provided new opportunities for those who seek to exploit children and the vulnerable Cyberspace allows criminals to target India from other jurisdictions across the world, making it harder to enforce the lawCyberspace is already used by terrorists to spread propaganda, radicalise potential supporters, raise funds, communicate and planIt is also used by other state actors to get access to sensitive informationHow to minimize the risks?It will be near-impossible to achieve total security; best efforts will need to focus on a collaborative approach between the government and the private sectorTransnational partnerships are importantSecurity needs to be balanced with freedom and privacy- whatever is unacceptable offline should be unacceptable onlineIndia needs a concerted strategy for cyber security involving private sector and the civil society (check if this already exists!)India will need cyber security experts with technical skills and an aptitude for problem solving and investigationHow to deal with cyber threats (important to remember terms)General use of antiviruses, firewalls and gateways, strong passwords, secure Wi-Fi connection, training to netizens etc.Digital signatures: ?This is a technique by which it is possible to secure electronic information in such a way that the originator of the information, as well as the integrity of the information, can be verified. This procedure of guaranteeing the origin and the integrity of the information is also called AuthenticationEncryption: Using cryptography to hide the real contents of a message in cyberspace. The message or data to be encrypted, also known as the plaintext, is transformed by a function that is parameterized by a KEY. The output of the encryption process, known as the cipher text, is then transmitted through the insecure communication channelSecurity Audit: This is a systematic evaluation of the security of a company’s information system by measuring how well it conforms to a set of established criteriaCyber Forensics: The discovery, analysis, and reconstruction of evidence extracted from any element of computer systems, computer networks, computer media, and computer peripherals that allow investigators to solve a crimeE-discovery?investigation includes?areas?like money laundering, corruption, financial frauds, cyber crimes, serious frauds and white-collar crimes investigation, etc. Presently?e-discovery services in India?are in infancy stage and this is the reason why many cases of corporate frauds and cyber crimes remain unreportedA recent business standard report said that cyber security professionals in India are paid significantly less as compared to people in the IT business; adjusted for PPP, Indian cyber security professionals also get paid way less than their international counterpartsCyber Laws in IndiaIT Act, 2000National Cyber Security Policy, 2013Aims at protecting the public and private infrastructure from cyber attacksIntends to safeguard information such as personal information of web users, financial and banking information, and sovereign dataIt proposed setting up a 24 x 7 national critical information infrastructure protection centre (NCIIPC); however, this hasn’t been established The policy was released under intense pressure on the government after revelations that the US’s NSA was spying on IndiaHowever, so far, the policy has just proved to be paperwork with no actual implementation India is considered to be a sitting duck in cyberspace and cyber security field and the proposed cyber security policy has failed to change this position; India is not at all prepared to deal with cyber threatsSpecial training programmes have been undertaken for the judiciary to make them acquainted with techno-legal aspects of cyber crimes and on the analysis of digital evidence presented before them A number of haphazard programmes have been launched by the Indian government, such as National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC), National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), CMS etc., none of which are governed by any legal frameworks, or are under parliamentary scrutiny. They aren’t even coordinating with each otherAt the international level, there are various forums for strengthening international cooperation- some of these are the Meridian Process, the NETmundial conference etc.Money laundering and its preventionMoney laundering involves disguising financial assets so that they can be used without detection of the illegal activity that produced them. Through money laundering, the launderer transforms the monetary proceeds derived from criminal activity into funds with an apparently legal sourceThe estimated amount of money laundered globally every year is about 2-5% of the global GDPAs per the Anti Money Laundering (AML) Basel Index, India was ranked at #93 out of 140 countries, thus being classified as a high-risk zoneIn India, money laundering is popularly known as ‘Hawala’, which is an underground remittance system There are 3 stages of money laundering: placement, layering, and integration. Integration can be done by various means, such as smurfing (breaking down large cash amounts into smaller fractions before depositing them in bank accounts), offshore banking, shell companies, and investing in legitimate businessesHarmful effects of money laundering: funds criminal activities, encourages corruption, causes decline in tax revenuesTo prevent money laundering, the government passed the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in 2003; the main objectives of this act are to prevent money-laundering as well as to provide for confiscation of property either derived from or involved in, money-laundering. There are several provision under it that help curb money laundering, such as:Financial Intelligence Unit: FIU is the nodal agency in India for managing the anti money-laundering (AML) ecosystem. FIU receives reports on cash transactions, suspicious transactions; counterfeit currency transactions and funds received by non-profit organisations. These reports are filed by reporting entities i.e. banks, financial institutions and capital market intermediaries, casinos, private locker operators, registrar to an issue of shares and dealers in precious metals. FIU then further shares this information with other intelligence agenciesKnow Your Customer Guidelines: RBI had directed all banks and financial institutions to put in place a policy framework to know their customers before opening any account. This involves verifying customers' identity and address by asking them to submit documents that are accepted as relevant proofIn 2010, after a stringent evaluation, India was admitted as the 34th country member to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which is an intergovernmental body that combats money-laundering across the globeLinkages of organized crime with terrorismRead later: defines organized criminal groups as a corporate-type organization whose primary objective is to obtain money through illegal activities, often surviving on fear and corruption. Thus, organized crime pursues money, whereas terrorist pursue power. While this distinctionDifferences between the two:Terrorism aims to overthrow the existing government by altering the status quo; organized crime, on the other hand, aims to form a parallel government while coexisting with the existing one ?Terrorism primarily uses violent means, whereas organized crime prefers to be non-violent notwithstanding odd resort to belligerenceTerrorism is driven largely by political objectives despite exploitation of regional, national and religious sentiments to achieve their ends; conversely, economic objectives are the operational determinants of organized crimeWhile organized crime involves many activities, its linkages with terrorism stem from illegal trafficking of drugs, arms and human beings and money laundering. Terrorist groups, whether indigenous or sponsored by outside states, need arms and money for their fight against the security forces. Organized crime conglomerates need a clientele and couriers who can smuggle drugs, arms and human beings across the countries and regions.In developing countries the threat is far more than simply economic erosion or financial losses. In many places where organised crime has taken root it either tends to take over the state itself, or merges with conflict to mutate into a full-fledged military security threat. Examples of the former include parts of Central America which are completely under the control of drug cartels, while the whole of Afghanistan is part and parcel of a criminal economy. Examples of the merging of organised crime with conflict include the conflict in Afghanistan- Pakistan region, and the emergence of terrorism in India. In India’s northeast, almost all the militant groups run a parallel government or have their areas of influence and are involved in collecting money directly from the people. Much of the government funds reach the militants indirectly due to misgovernance. Government officials in conflict zones are either threatened or bribed to award contracts to individuals patronized by the militant groups. Contracts apart, essential commodities like rice and kerosene reach the militant groups directly which are then sold to the public at much higher prices. This cycle, though unnoticed in other parts of India, is a clear example of the linkage between organized crime and terrorism inside India.Extortion, kidnap, contracts and black marketing still fall short of financing the nefarious activities of the militants. This is where transnational drugs and arms syndicates come into play. Terrorist organizations in India, especially in the northeast, mobilize funds by becoming couriers of illegal drugs and arms and at times even human beings from one point to another within the country.Distinctions between terrorist group and organized crime syndicates are increasingly being blurred; Al-Qaeda, for example, finances itself and operates through various decentralized cells, franchises, and associates across the globe. On the other hand, Dawood Ibrahim, who started out as a criminal, today funds large-scale transnational terrorist acts. Prisons often act as introduction conduits for the two kinds of groups. Convergence of organized crime and terrorism is becoming a great threat for international peace and security. Its widening base at grassroots level was the cause of many failed states like Afghanistan, Kosovo etc., and is weakening states like Pakistan. Its eradication can be possible only if cooperation is achieved at international level and counter-terrorism programs along with development schemes implemented at grassroots level.Security challenges and their management in border areas Various Security forces and agencies and their mandateAll you need to read is here: paramilitary forces were defined in 2011 as the organisations that provide particularly close support to the Indian defence forces and have a sizable portion of the regular defence forces. Currently India has three Paramilitary organisations. These are -1. Assam Rifles - Assam Rifles has the distinction of the oldest paramilitary force in the world. Assam Rifles operates in the North Eastern part of India and complements the Indian Army in countering the insurgency and guarding the borders. It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs.2. Special Frontier Force - Raised after the 1962 war, the SFF consists of soldiers of tibetan lineage. It is tasked with guarding the borders with China as well as certain intelligence gathering activities. It reports to the Intelligence Bureau.3. Coast Guard - The Coast Guard is a naval paramilitary force. It deals with the security of India's coast and focuses on preventing smuggling and protecting the territorial waters.Earlier forces like Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) etc. were also known as paramilitary forces. However, these are now known as Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).The three paramilitary forces mainly aid the armed forces in guarding the land as well as maritime borders to prevent any unwanted intrusion.Armed ForcesOn the other hand the armed forces are tasked to ensure the safety and security of the nation against any foreign power. The defense forces are divided into three components -1. Army - India has the largest volunteer standing army in the world with more than a million personnel. The army is tasked with guarding the borders of the country. It is also deployed in a counter-insurgency role.2. Navy - The navy guards the maritime interests of the country. It also protects India's economic interests by protecting merchant convoys through piracy infested areas.3. Air Force - They ensure that Indian air space is protected against any unwanted incursions and also provide a supporting role to other forces.Gurkha Rifles: Recently completed 200 yearsIndia’s first field marshal (Sam Manekshaw) and the current Army chief (Dalbir Singh) both belong to Gurkha RiflesCRPF: India’s largest paramilitary forceFunctions under MHAPrimary role lies in assisting the State/Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and counterinsurgencyAlso contribute to conduct of electionsAlso being deployed in UN missionsCoast Guard: The?Indian Coast Guard?(ICG) protects India's maritime interests and enforces?maritime law, with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India, including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone Established as an independent?Armed force of India Operates under the Ministry of DefenceThe Coast Guard works in close cooperation with the?Indian Navy, the?Department of Fisheries, the?Department of Revenue?(Customs) and the Central and State police forcesThe establishment of the Indian Coast Guard was first proposed by the Indian Navy to provide non-military maritime services to the nation. In the 1960s, sea-borne smuggling of goods was threatening India's domestic economy. The Indian Customs Department frequently called upon the Indian Navy for assistance with patrol and interception in the anti-smuggling effortThe Indian Navy sensed that the?law enforcement?nature of these duties diverged from its core mission as a military serviceAfter the?2008 Mumbai attacks, the Indian government initiated a programme to expand the ICG force, assets and infrastructure. The force is expected to triple between 2010 and 2019 in manpower, vessels and aircraftNote that the ICG mandated extends to law enforcement in both territorial and international watersAlso responsible for safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals and other installations; protecting fishermen, preserving marine ecology, preventing pollution etc.‘Command and Exit’ Policy Controversy: This is an Indian Army policy instituted in 2009, purportedly to ensure that India has a younger forceUnder this policy, colonels commanding units of the fighting arms get short tenures and more vacancies; army said this is the only way to get younger commanding officers (Pakistan and China have people of average age of 35-40 years as Commanding Officers, which is at least 5 years higher in India) By the sheer nature of his job, commanding officer of an infantry unit needs to be fitter considering the terrain where the units are locatedA.V. Singh committee had suggested shorter tenures for seven combat and support arms, including infantry, artillery, armoured, mechanised infantry, engineers and signals. Since infantry and artillery comprise 42 per cent of the Indian Army, they got more vacancies. The CEM was preferred over the pro-rata system in practice earlierSources said the CEM has resulted in bringing down the age profile of commanding officers from 37-38 years, which will eventually become 36-37. Similarly, it will come down from existing 47-48 to 44-45 for BrigadiersThe Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) had struck down the CEM, saying it was discriminatory. The policy has deeply divided the Army as it is being seen favouring infantry and artillery officersOne Ran, One Pension Scheme: Under this policy, colonels commanding units of the fighting arms get short tenures and more vacancies; army said this is the only way to get younger commanding officers (Pakistan and China have people of average age of 35-40 yearsOne rank, one pension means that retired soldiers of the same rank and length of service will now receive the same pension, regardless of when they retire. At present, pensioners who retired before 2006 draw less pension than their counterparts and even their juniors.?OROP took a long time coming and it will bring justice to scores of armed forces personnel struggling with meagre pensions. It took 7 years for their demand to be met.Now, if a sergeant who retired before 2006 will get the same pension as a sergeant who retired after 2006. Thus bringing equality in wagesManipur: 20 Army Personnel of the 6 Dogra Regiment killed: Indian Insurgent Groups continue to use Myanmar territory notwithstanding Myanmar’s repeated assurances not to allow its territory for activities inimical to IndiaThis proves that without Myanmar’s cooperation — similar to how Bhutan in 2003 and Bangladesh since 2009 launched systematic clean-up operations — the problem of militancy in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam cannot be solvedThe 46-battalion strong Assam Rifles, the paramilitary force that guards the Indo-Myanmar border, is so short of strength that it stations its forces 40 kilometres away from the border. It deployed 31 battalions in counter-insurgency duties, leaving only 15 battalions to guard the risky borderMoreover, operational control of the paramilitary force has remained a bone of contention between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Defence ................
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