National Investigation Agency (NIA) organised a two-day anti-terror conference on November 7 and 8 in New Delhi. 

• The Home Minister, in his inaugural address, said that the central government will bring a “national counter-terrorism policy and strategy” soon and added that a unified approach is required to fight “terrorism, terrorists, and their ecosystem”.

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Core Aspects of the Proposed Counter-Terrorism Strategy

The Home Minister outlined several key areas that will shape India’s future counter-terrorism efforts. These include:

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Central and State Forces: The government plans to revise and standardise the SOPs that guide the response of both central and state forces.
  • The synchronisation of these procedures across jurisdictions will help in maintaining consistency and efficiency in addressing terrorism at all levels.
• Emerging Technologies and Innovation: The use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cyber tools, will be integrated into counter-terrorism operations to enhance intelligence gathering, tracking, and the overall effectiveness of operations.
• Whole-of-the-Government Approach: A successful counter-terrorism strategy requires an inclusive approach, bringing together all levels of government, from local authorities to national agencies. 
  • The HM emphasised the importance of integrating decentralised governance structures into the broader counter-terrorism framework.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

• The aspects outlined by the Home Minister are undoubtedly critical to shaping a robust counter-terrorism policy and will play a significant role in fortifying the country’s law and order framework. 
• However, as the policy takes its final shape, it is essential that it encompasses elements beyond merely responding to acts of terrorism. 
• To address the underlying factors—the “whats,” “whys,” and “hows”—that precede a terror attack, the aspect of prevention must be integrated into the strategy. 
• The goal of prevention should be to avert terror before it occurs. 

Steps for Prevention Strategy in Counter-Terrorism

• Focus on Vulnerable Populations
  • These may include ethnic communities, at-risk youth, marginalised populations, and others susceptible to radicalization. 
  • By identifying these vulnerable sections, measures can be put in place to prevent their recruitment into terrorist activities or support for terrorism.
• Rehabilitation and Disengagement
  • In addition to preventing new recruits, a comprehensive strategy must include the rehabilitation and disengagement of individuals already involved in terrorism. 
  • Similar to programs aimed at combating gang involvement, drug abuse, or abuse prevention, disengagement strategies should offer support and alternatives for those seeking to exit terrorism.
• Tackling Radicalization
  • Effective prevention programs should engage with individuals at risk, providing continuous support to help mitigate their vulnerability to radical ideologies. 
  • Engaging online platforms, social media, and community leaders is essential in curbing the spread of radical views.
  • These interventions should be preventative in nature, offering counselling, education, and support to deter potential recruits from engaging in terrorism.
• Wide Network of Partners
  • This includes local communities, civil society organisations, public-sector institutions, schools, universities, healthcare providers, police, prisons, religious institutions, and the private sector.
• Assessment of Local Threats
  • The Home Minister’s proposal of adapting standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each state should be expanded to include continuous assessment of the regional threat landscape. 
  • Regular research and evaluation will help in refining prevention methods to meet the unique needs of different areas.
• Whole-of-Government Approach
  • A unified, whole-of-the-government approach must be implemented, involving local governance bodies at the grassroots level. 
  • This decentralised approach ensures that counter-terrorism becomes a community-driven effort, involving all sectors of society, including rural and urban local bodies. 
• Addressing Structural Violence
  • Structural Violence  refers to the social structures that harm individuals by denying them basic rights or needs. 
  • Long-term governance efforts should aim at reducing inequalities, ensuring access to education, employment, and healthcare, and addressing systemic injustices that may fuel terrorist ideologies.
• Acknowledge Endogenous Factors
  • Terrorism, particularly in India, is largely an endogenous phenomenon, and a successful prevention strategy must focus on addressing the internal factors that contribute to radicalization. 

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Conclusion

Addressing terrorism requires a holistic approach that goes beyond security measures to tackle the root causes, such as socio-economic inequalities and ideological extremism.