Harsha Kakar
Two terrorist strikes hit Bangladesh recently. The attack at the Holey Artisan bakery in Dacca on 02 Jul, left over twenty dead, while the second had fewer casualties. ISIS was quick to claim credit. The Bangladesh Home and Prime Minister countered by termingit as a case of home grown terrorism. Deeper investigation and interrogation of the captured militants would reveal details and linkages tooutside groups. Coming close on the heels of the murder of almost 40non- Islamic religious heads, bloggers, writers and LGBT community members, by brutal means, this year, it does merit review by India. The Indian Government immediately directed the sealing of the Indo-Bangla border on similar lines as the western border.
For residents in Bangladesh, close to the West Bengal border, Kolkata is a better option for shopping and medical treatment than Dacca. Further, with migration of population over decades into West Bengal and the North East, Bangladeshis now have their kith and kin in India, with whom they can shelter. West Bengal districts bordering Bangladesh including Malda, Dinajpur (North and South), Cooch Behar and Mushirabadamongst others, have seen a spurt in population mainly due to influx from Bangladesh. It has altered the demography of the region. Maldahad witnessed communal violence in January this year, including the burning down of a police station, news of which was suppressed by the State Government, as elections were around the corner. Incidents of bomb blasts, led to the arrest of terrorists of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in Burdwan in late 2014.Interrogation revealed that the bombs manufactured here, were being transported to Bangladesh. The NIA is of the opinion that the JMB is seeking to enhance its base in Malda, Nadia and Mushirabad districts of West Bengal. The NIA recently arrested a JMB militant in the area. They also believe that there could be a link between the JMB and the Indian Mujahideen.
In Assam too, a similar situation exists in Barpeta, Cachar, Karimganj, Dhubri, Kamrup and Goalpara. In his report to the President of India, General KK Sinha (retired), the erstwhile Governor of Assam, wrote as far back as in 1998 that large scale migration has altered the demographic complexion of the state. It was this, which led to the infamous Assam agitation. However, concerned with vote bank politics, previous governments took no action. Presently there are largealmost ungoverned areas close to the Assam- Bangladesh border where arms training could run undetected for Bangladeshi militants. Further these areas also have criminalized insurgent groups, who could be potential weapon suppliers. The weapon used in the attack on the bakery was the Chinese manufactured AK22, which only looks similar to the AK47, however is less powerful. It is smuggled from China through India’s borders with Myanmar.
Bangladesh is undergoing a transformation. The sudden spurt of killing over the past year indicates a rising trend of intolerance within the secular nation. Post the sentencing of Delwar Hossain Sayeedi in Feb 2013, for his role in war crimes committed during 1971, Hindu houses and temples were burnt and desecrated across the country. Since then, attacks against non Islamists have risen. Whether the ISIS or AQIS (Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent) have a base is debateable, however theywould have supporters. There arebattle hardenedBangladeshis who have fought for the ISIS in Syria and Iraq and returned while others continue to fight. Singapore recently deported 26 Bangladeshi’s for supporting armed jihad ideology. The JMB, a known home grown terrorist group,supports the ISIS and desires overthrow of the government. Therefore, Bangladesh is likely to move deeperin the throes of terrorist activities. The Chittagong hill tracts in Bangladesh provide an ideal base for anti-India groups.They could obtain support from the JMB or other Bangladesh terror groups.
The present Bangladesh Government, with good ties to India, does not support anti-India activities on its soil, however in earlier days, Bangladesh was an entry point for fake currency and terrorists. The ULFA leadership operated from there. The ISI maintained a cell for coordinating anti-India activities. Though the issue of enclaves has been resolved, however sealing of the border is easier said than done. The riverine terrain, villages split across the border and marshy ground making border sealing difficult. The area is known for cattle smuggling and smugglers have even attacked the BSF, when provoked. Therefore, while sealing may restrict move of population, it alone may not be the answer.
India needs to reconsider its strategy since sealing can never be a zero sum game. It therefore needs to enhance vigil in the districts and villages bordering Bangladesh. It needs to broaden its monitoring and human intelligence capabilities more than its firepower capabilities. The difference with this border is that attacks may not come in adjoining areas like it does on the western front (Pathankot and Gurdaspur). Terrorists who infiltrate would targetdeep within the country. Similarly, illegal currency, drugs and wherewithal for implementing a terror strike could also flow. Such monitoring would also prevent our border districts from becoming a base for anti-Bangladesh terrorists, which could mar the excellent relations which presently exist.
Therefore, states with a sizeable Bangladeshi population need to overcome their vote bank politics and work hand in glove with central intelligence agencies to curb anti-national (against both India and Bangladesh) activities in Bangladeshi dominated areas. Working alongside Bangladesh intelligence agencies with an agreement for cross border joint investigation would help stem the problem before it begins to raise its ugly head. Delaying this would only enhance danger for India in the future and for Bangladesh in the present. A stable and prosperous Bangladesh with close ties to India, is ideal, hence we need to ensure that our areas do not become a security threat, as also deny their areas becoming our security concern.
(The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army)
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