MHA forms new divisions to check radicalisation, cyber fraud

Business Line

Dated: November10, 2017

The Union home ministry today created new divisions to check radicalisation and cyber fraud as part of a major rejig of some of its crucial wings. Two new divisions, Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation (CTCR) and Cyber and Information Security (CIS), have been created.

The CTCR division will devise quick strategies for de-radicalisation and to check terrorism, an order issued by the home ministry said. “It will prepare action plans for combating terrorism and radicalisation with definite deliverables and timelines,” officials said.

“Threats to internal security from increased radicalisation, mostly online, and terrorism were growing,” the officials said, adding that the new wing will focus on assessing the reach of global terrorist outfits besides shaping strategies to counter their propaganda and activities.

It will also hire domain experts for the purpose. The other new wing, CIS, has been created to monitor online crimes and threats, including cyber fraud and hacking, and suggest ways to minimise and fight them. “This division will track and counter online fraud, hacking, identity theft, dark net, trafficking and cyber attacks on critical information infrastructure,” the officials said.

Changes and mergers

Several division have also been merged as part of the administrative changes. At present, the home ministry has three divisions on internal security—Internal Security I, II and III (or IS-I, IS-II and IS-III). It has merged its Internal Security-I and Internal Security-III divisions, besides modifying the work of the IS-II division, which will now be known as the CTCR.

The existing International Cooperation division, which deals with matters related to international/bilateral security issues such as Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, has been merged with the Coordination and Public Grievances division. A new wing, Coordination and International Cooperation, has been carved out of them.

Similarly, the judicial wing has been merged with the Centre-State division. The judicial division deals with matters relating to legislative aspects of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Commission of Inquiry Act.

The Centre-State wing looks after work related to Constitutional provisions governing such relations like the appointment of governors, creation of new states, nominations to Rajya Sabha/Lok Sabha, inter-state boundary disputes, overseeing the crime situation in states and imposition of President’s rule. The ministry will continue to have 18 divisions, each led by a joint secretary-level officer.

Reference:

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/mha-forms-new-divisions-to-check-radicalisation-cyber-fraud/article9952814.ece

Government seeks inputs to check radicalisation

The Asian Age

Dated: April 21,2018

In a bid to put in place a foolproof strategy to check radicalisation among youth, particularly by terror outfits like ISIS, Home ministry has sought inputs from different ministries and some states to prepare a detailed blueprint for the same which then be placed before the Cabinet also for further discussion. The recently created Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation (CTCR) in the Home ministry has in a written communication to different ministries including information & broadcasting, law, HRD and minority affairs sought inputs for preparing a comprehensive plans to counter radicalisation.

Similarly, views have also been sought from some states, where cases of radicalisation have come to light, like Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.

Sources said most of the ministries and states who have been roped in this exercise were stake holders in dealing with menace of radicalisation as they are either directly or indirectly connected with the issue whether it was monitoring all forms of media, dealing with educational institutions or States facing terror and thus could help provide a better perspective into the issue. One of the main factors for initiating this exercise is that it would help put in place a blueprint, which in turn would act as a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), for various agencies at the Centre and States who will have to put in place these mechanism at different levels to counter the spread of radicalisation.

So far both the Intelligence Bureau and the National Investigation Agency have the technical expertise and specialists in monitoring the social media to track spread of radicalisation which intone was leading to indoctrination of the youth. But sources said there was a view within the government mere criminal investigation into such incidents was not adequate and there was need to adopt a multi-pronged comprehensive strategy. While security and intelligence agencies are doing their work in dealing with the threat of indoctrination among the youth. But we need to work on different levels and involve different agencies in dealing with the issue. For instance the I&B ministry can help prepare a plan how to launch a counter offensive to deal with radicalisation on different platforms like social media, print and electronic media. Similarly, HRD Ministry can provide inputs on whether some initiative can be launched in schools and colleges to insulate young minds from radicalisation. The minority affairs department too can provide details on how the problem can be deal with among the minority communities,''a senior government functionary said. Sources claimed  from various ministries and state governments once a detailed blueprint is finalised it will be placed before the Cabinet for a wider discussion.

Reference:

http://www.asianage.com/amp/india/all-india/210418/government-seeks-inputs-to-check-radicalisation.html

Centre adopts Singapore model of de-radicalisation, IB to formulate SOP to counter threat

By Rakesh Singh, Indian Express

Dated: January 10,2018

With radicalisation emerging as the biggest internal security challenge, the Union Home Ministry is formulating a multi-layered and structured response mechanism to counter the threat from radicalised youth especially those linked to the Islamic State even as the Centre has zeroed in on the Singapore model of counter-radicalisation for mainstreaming the affected youth.

The Home Ministry has also asked the Intelligence Bureau to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure for dealing with radical materials and websites along with a three-pronged counselling system involving the family, clergy and professionals to de-radicalise the infected youth.

In addition, a dedicated Ministry for dissemination of effective counter-narratives to the radical viewpoint is also in the works, according to classified materials accessed by the Express.

“For Indian conditions, among various counter-radicalisation programmes being undertaken by different countries, the Singapore model, a combination of hard security measures and stringent laws along with community involvement, is best suited,” reads the document.

The Singapore model stresses on imparting a sense of belonging to the de-radicalised youth and promotes inter-community harmony besides national integration. The Singapore model has also put in place an elaborate SOP defining the role of the family, teachers and neighbours, especially from communities other than that of the person being de-radicalised.

An elaborate plan is afoot for countering radicalisation of youth by international terror groups like the Islamic State wherein “all the units of the Government apparatus and the entire Muslim community spectrum will be associated actively with the community for counselling affected youths,” according to the document. 

A well-coordinated nationwide, round the clock, community-based and multilingual platform for disseminating suitably constructed counter-narratives is being worked out .

While passports of indoctrinated individuals travelling abroad on Indian travel document to join Islamic State are proposed to be revoked, the counter-radicalisation framework will take care of the reformed elements as well the victims of terrorism.

The Government will also seek to rope in eminent religious leaders to come forward with credible counter-narratives and alternatives for counter radicalisation even as efforts will be made to ensure the credibility of persons involved in the process for their acceptance among the community.

As part of the efforts towards counter radicalisation, a close watch will be maintained on foreign receipts of Wahahabi-Salafi platforms that have received substantive foreign receipts over the last few years. The IB has been asked to devise a mechanism to monitor foreign receipts by radical organisations and share the information with the States.

Radicals linked to Islamic State have emerged as the biggest security challenge with the number of youth travelling to the territories controlled by IS increased over the years.

A senior Home Ministry official said a multi-layered mechanism involving various stake holders will be engaged in the counter-radicalisation efforts.

The Home Ministry has recently operationalised the newly created Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation Division in which IB is a major stakeholder and will work with other agencies, including from the States.

A counter-terrorism expert said,” The move to put in place a counter-radicalisation mechanism is in the right direction but the SOP should be comprehensive enough to cover the entire spectrum of radicalisation including those from the Left-wing extremist groups, separatist fundamentalism and right-wing fanaticism. The de-radicalisation efforts should also involve all the communities and not just one particular community. Strong engagement between communities should also be stressed besides proactively using the social media platform for countering radical narratives.”

Reference:

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jan/10/centre-adopts-singapore-model-of-de-radicalisation-ib-to-formulate-sop-to-counter-threat-1749281.html

'Singapore model’ to counter radicalisation?

By Rohan Dual, Times of India

Dated: January 31,2018

The Centre has sought inputs from states on whether the 'Singapore Model' to counter Islamic radicalisation with community involvement can be implemented in the country. Instead of taking radicalised youth through a long criminal trial, the model advocates lessons in nationalism and religious rehabilitation with the help of popular scholars and community leaders.

"For Indian conditions, among various counter-radical programmes being undertaken by different countries, the Singapore Model, (which is) a combination of hard security measures and stringent laws with community involvement, is best suited. Action may be taken by DGP of states/UTs," says a note sent on January 21 this year by Union Ministry of home affairs (MHA) to police chiefs and home departments of states. UP, Kerala and Assam are among the few states from which MHA has sought this assistance.

The Centre's proposal further states that there is a need for "involvement of a dedicated ministry for dissemination of effective counter narratives.""There is a need to develop a standard operative procedure (SOP) to deal with radical material and websites along with three-pronged counselling system involving the family, clergy and professionals," it says.

"The effort is to get back the Indian youth who have got drawn by organisations like the Islamic State (IS) in the recent past due to various reasons," said a senior UP government official. "There is a need for eminent Muslim religious leaders to come forward with credible counter narratives and alternate narratives," he added.

The Centre is also learnt to have sought assistance from states to bring together "reformed elements" and "victims of terrorism" in the programme to remove radicalism.The Centre has also advised the states that a close watch must be maintained on foreign donations of Wahahabi-Salafi doctrinated-outfits. The same proposal also seeks the cooperation of states to help contribute to a cell in the ministry of home affairs that will deal with "anti-national propaganda".

Reference:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/singapore-model-to-counter-radicalisation/articleshow/62717208.cms

How to counter radicalisation

By Vinay Kaura, Deccan Herald

Dated: November 17,2017

The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to start two new divisions to exclusively deal with emerging challenges of radicalisation and cybercrime. One of the dedicated wings, named 'counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation' (CTCR) division, will be mandated to focus on the online reach of global terrorist groups such as the IS and devising strategies to counter their propaganda. This well-intentioned step, which has been long overdue, could mark a significant step towards improving India's internal security and counterterrorism capabilities.

Fortunately, India has not seen the kind of religious radicalisation that has spread elsewhere. The high level of integration of Muslims in Indian society as well as the traditionally moderate nature of Islamic faith in India, as compared to its Pakistani counterpart, are the reasons. But if the recent spate of arrests of IS recruits or sympathisers is any indication, it is reasonable to argue that India is not entirely immune to the waves of religious radicalisation.

It also debunks the long-held notion that ideologically motivated Islamist terror had bypassed mainland India, despite Kashmir having been subjected to separatist Islamist insurgency. The IS seems determined to spread its tentacles in India, as reflected in a growing number of Muslims from mainland India becoming radicalised.

Early this month, the Uttar Pradesh anti-terrorism squad arrested Abu Zaid at Mumbai airport soon after he arrived from Riyadh.

Zaid was allegedly radicalising Indian Muslims through social media to recruit them into the terror outfit. On November 2, Kerala police confirmed that six more youths from Kannur had joined IS. In July this year, Shajahan Velluva Kandy, an IS operative and a resident of Kannur, was arrested on his deportation by Turkish authorities.

Last month, Philippines authorities arrested Karen Aisha Hamidon, a leading female online recruiter who had been acting on behalf of IS on Facebook, Telegram and WhatsApp. In December 2015, an Indian Oil Corporation manager, Mohammad Sirajuddin, was arrested from Jaipur and a computer engineer from Tamil Nadu, Mohammad Naseer, was deported from Sudan.

Both had claimed that they were influenced by Karen. In September 2017, an IS operative was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his possible involvement in a conspiracy to carry out terror attacks across Tamil Nadu. The list is too long to fit here.

Most Indian suspects arrested for terror related activities are youth, having a good education and well employed, often motivated through internet propaganda. Since spreading hateful and distorted messages or triggering a conflict through cyberspace is low-cost but has potentially devastating impact, terrorists throughout the world are relying heavily on cyber mobilisation to recruit, finance and train more fighters to their cause.

In fact, cyber radicalisation has already reached alarming proportions in Kashmir, leading Dineshwar Sharma, the newly-named interlocutor for talks in Jammu and Kashmir, to set de-radicalisation of Kashmiri youth and militants as the topmost priority so as "to prevent Kashmir from turning into a Syria of India".

Islamic radicalisation may be described as a gradual transformation from a non-violent and religiously based understanding of the Islamic faith to one with a violent and politically motivated ideology premised on the belief that Islam is in danger and the only viable solution for the survival of Islam is to perpetrate acts of violence.

These radicals are playing havoc across much of the democratic world, resulting into 'lone wolf' terror attacks in several Western cities. The latest massacre of innocents in Manhattan in America by a radicalised Uzbek is yet another indicator of the grave threat IS poses to the world, particularly to all countries and societies with sizable Muslim populations.

The recent trends in jihadist terrorism and radicalisation around the world highlight the limits of conventional counterterrorism approaches that place a single-minded focus on security measures. What is really required is a smarter approach â€" one that goes beyond countering terrorists with law enforcement or military tactics. An effective strategy would be one that incorporates measures to prevent susceptible people from getting converted into dreaded terrorists in the first place.

It begins by addressing the forces that radicalise people to join terror groups.

Success in counter and de-radicalisation policies would largely depend upon a whole-of-government approach, which includes an effective and efficient governing mechanism. Besides, law enforcement agencies must work closely with civil society â€" academics, professionals, religious and local leaders â€" in tapping the talents of local communities in developing counter-narratives.

Last but not the least, the police leadership must adequately prepare the policemen on the streets to play a leading role in preventing and countering radicalisation by listening to and addressing the grievances of the people they often claim to serve. One must hope that the CTCR division will keep these factors in view while formulating a comprehensive response to counter radicalisation.

About the author

The writer is Assistant Professor, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Sardar Patel University, Jodhpur

Reference:

https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/deccan+herald-epaper-deccan/how+to+counter+radicalisation-newsid-76549179