My Suggestions to the Indian Govt, recommending a new anti-terrorism policy

My Suggestions to the Indian Govt, recommending a new anti-terrorism policy:

1) Hang all terrorists currently on death row within the next three months and send a strong message to all terrorists. The Government would need considerable assistance from the President and the courts to achieve this deadline.

2) Frame a new tough anti-terror law after reaching a consensus between political parties, the judiciary and the civil society. Representatives of each of these sections must process the bill in a drafting committee before it goes to the standing committee of parliament at the preliminary stage.

3) The new law must be stringent and based on past or existing legislations that have worked before. It must also consider existing terror laws in US and other countries which have managed to curb terrorism to some extent in the past decade or so. The legislation must be drafted such that it is not maliciously misused by biased authorities against members of particular communities.

4) Death sentences must be liberally dished out to terrorists once it has been established that they have been involved in acts of terror. Existing laws must be amended to recommend the harshest possible punishment for those indulging in terrorist activities.

5) Strict action must also be taken on those who provide a support system for these terrorists. The authorities must act on those who provide shelter, finance and other kinds of assistance to these sadists.

6) India must halt all talks with Pakistan until we are satisfied that not a single entity in the Pakistani government, armed forces and intelligent services are involved in the promotion or support of India-centric terror.

7) India must expose Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism in our country at various international forums, meetings and conventions especially at the United Nations.

8) The Govt must ban all communal political or social outfits which espouse violence against Indians based on their race, creed, caste or beliefs.

9) Police reforms and training is very essential in the fight against terror. Law enforcement agencies should be provided state-of-the-art weapons and gear to fight terrorists.

10) Citizens as individuals or in groups should assist law enforcement agents in the fight against terror in their individual capacity.

11) High rewards must be dished out to people who provide valuable information on terrorists. The reward scheme must be well publicized and commensurate with the kind of information given.

12) The NIA and RAW must be restructured and better organized to tackle the menace of terror. The new structure should be based on the Homeland Security of the US that has done a great job thus far. Terror-related information must be centralized and actionable inputs should be given as soon as possible to the various stakeholders like the state governments, local police, etc.

13) We should work with other governments and their law enforcement agencies in the fight against terror. Extradition treaties must be sought with almost every nation on this planet.

14) Our intelligence agencies must penetrate global terror networks with the aid of informants.

15) CCTVs and other anti-terror infrastructure should be available at strategic locations in major cities and towns. Each city should also have an NSG (commando) hub so that it can get speedy assistance in case of another 26/11 type of attack.

My Suggestions to the Indian Govt, recommending a new anti-terrorism policy

My Suggestions to the Indian Govt, recommending a new anti-terrorism policy:

1) Hang all terrorists currently on death row within the next three months and send a strong message to all terrorists. The Government would need considerable assistance from the President and the courts to achieve this deadline.

2) Frame a new tough anti-terror law after reaching a consensus between political parties, the judiciary and the civil society. Representatives of each of these sections must process the bill in a drafting committee before it goes to the standing committee of parliament at the preliminary stage.

3) The new law must be stringent and based on past or existing legislations that have worked before. It must also consider existing terror laws in US and other countries which have managed to curb terrorism to some extent in the past decade or so. The legislation must be drafted such that it is not maliciously misused by biased authorities against members of particular communities.

4) Death sentences must be liberally dished out to terrorists once it has been established that they have been involved in acts of terror. Existing laws must be amended to recommend the harshest possible punishment for those indulging in terrorist activities.

5) Strict action must also be taken on those who provide a support system for these terrorists. The authorities must act on those who provide shelter, finance and other kinds of assistance to these sadists.

6) India must halt all talks with Pakistan until we are satisfied that not a single entity in the Pakistani government, armed forces and intelligent services are involved in the promotion or support of India-centric terror.

7) India must expose Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism in our country at various international forums, meetings and conventions especially at the United Nations.

8) The Govt must ban all communal political or social outfits which espouse violence against Indians based on their race, creed, caste or beliefs.

9) Police reforms and training is very essential in the fight against terror. Law enforcement agencies should be provided state-of-the-art weapons and gear to fight terrorists.

10) Citizens as individuals or in groups should assist law enforcement agents in the fight against terror in their individual capacity.

11) High rewards must be dished out to people who provide valuable information on terrorists. The reward scheme must be well publicized and commensurate with the kind of information given.

12) The NIA and RAW must be restructured and better organized to tackle the menace of terror. The new structure should be based on the Homeland Security of the US that has done a great job thus far. Terror-related information must be centralized and actionable inputs should be given as soon as possible to the various stakeholders like the state governments, local police, etc.

13) We should work with other governments and their law enforcement agencies in the fight against terror. Extradition treaties must be sought with almost every nation on this planet.

14) Our intelligence agencies must penetrate global terror networks with the aid of informants.

15) CCTVs and other anti-terror infrastructure should be available at strategic locations in major cities and towns. Each city should also have an NSG (commando) hub so that it can get speedy assistance in case of another 26/11 type of attack.

My Predictions for 2014 - The Vivekean Crystal ball Speaketh

(The Author has written an action thriller on terrorism entitled 'Indians in Pakistan' that is available at http://pothi.com/pothi/book/vivek-pereira-indians-pakistan)


Well, let's be optimistic when we gaze at the crystal ball. Yes, let's predict only the best for India and the world. Less crime, lower inflation, a rejuvenated economy, higher rupees, a soaring share market, higher incomes, lower taxes, less corruption, no terror attacks and so on. Hmm...this sounds more like a Utopian dream....and why not?

What could be the outcome for the Indian Lok Sabha elections in 2014?  Well, it looks like we re heading for a hung parliament and smaller parties like the AAP will play a major role in the shape of the next government. The Left parties might also make a comeback in these elections. And the Prime Minister? My prediction is that it won't be Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi. It's the crystal ball, stupid! Yes, it's quite logical that smaller parties would want their pound of flesh for support and maybe even the PM's position. So, we re looking at compromise candidates like Jayalalitha, Nitish Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal or even Naveen Patnaik.Well, sorry UPA and BJP supporters, but your unfounded overconfidence will be your downfall! Did anyone expect Arvind Kejriwal to be the Delhi CM? Seriously. Well, less support for the government at the centre can be a good thing as only sensible bills could will get passed and the authorities would think twice before doing anything immoral or unethical.

What about the Indian cricket team? - Let's forget our hockey and soccer team which are too much in focus these days - ha....India will miss Tendulkar who was an inspiration and a calming influence on the younger players. Well, Dhoni and Kohli will continue to be among the best in the world. In fact, the problem is not so much with the batting lineup as with the bowling. Ishant Sharma seems to be either getting bad advice from others and not listening to the wise ones.Our fast bowlers are not fast enough - or accurate.

And the international war on terrorists, Maoists and organised crime? Well, US itself has admitted that the Taliban will only get stronger and Al Qaeda may once again establish base in Afghanistan. The Muslim Brotherhood and its allies have changed colour once out of power and Egypt could perhaps go the Syrian way. Let's pray and hope that this does not happen. I'm not a big supporter of the Arab spring. The corrupt, mafia-like rulers like Gaddafi had kept the region stable but now one never knows what can happen there. Freedom (even freedom from corruption) does come at a bitter price. On the home front, Maoists will get wiped out as their support base is getting quickly eroded. Let's hope that this happens to the Indian Mujahideen and other domestic terror groups too.

Well, I do remember the Economy. I just paid Rs 55 for 1 kg each of onions and potatos, and only a few months ago a kg of onion had cost Rs 80 per kg. Wonders what these hoarders and black marketeers can do.This should be a sure sign that the Economy will bounce back. The monsoon was not bad and we have a talented workforce that can take on any challenges.The new RBI governor seems to be making positive decisions but will they turn around the economy? And let's reduce the price of LPG cylinders, Mr Manmohan Singh. The common man is certainly feeling the pinch.

Let me take this opportunity to wish all the readers of this blog a happy and prosperous new year and may you stick to your new year's resolution even if it is only to read my blog regularly. LOL.