TERRORISM

 Terrorism is a political, ideological or religiousviolence by non-state actors. Some definitions now include acts of unlawful violence and war.The word "terrorism" is politically loaded and emotionally charged one.A broad array of political organizations has practiced terrorism to further their objectives. It has been practiced by both right-wing and left-wing political parties, nationalistic groups, religious groups, revolutionaries, and ruling governments.A common definition of terrorism is the systematic use or threatened use of violence to intimidate a population or government for political, religious, or ideological goals.The regions with long term terrorist activities have been Jammu and Kashmir, east-central and south-central India (Naxalism) and the Seven Sister States.

 Terrorism is an international problem in today’s global community. Many nations are affected, whether directly or indirectly. Most nations oppose terrorism, while others condone or even support active, brutal terrorism and terrorist groups. Terrorism is defined by the US State Department to contain four elements. The first is a threat of violence or an act of violence. Next is a political objective. Third is that violence and threat of violence is a direct attack on civilians making civilians a primary target. Lastly, it is perpetrated by a supporting a nation or nations of terrorism. Two examples of terrorism and non terrorism are: the bombing of the US Embassy in Dar-Es-Salaam and the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In the Dar-Es-Salaam bombing, it is believed that there is one sub national actor involved: Osama bin Laden. With Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the US State Department agreed to drop the bomb. This was a general agreement of the American government, a national actor. Though both fit three criteria for a terrorist attack, the US government’s general decision to drop the bomb automatically makes it an act of war, not terrorism. One of the goals of terrorism is to make the terrorist’s views heard. This can be caused by a total media blitz that usually occurs after a terrorist attack. The media is an excellent window for the terrorists to shout their demands and views immediately after an attack. The US has a very strict policy concerning terrorism. Our country refuses to negotiate with terrorists or give in to any of their demands. We do all we can to bring terrorists to justice after they commit crimes. We aim to isolate terrorist sponsoring nations, such as Iraq, from the rest of the world and attempt to perform counter-terrorism. Although this policy is written down on paper down at the State Department, it is not always followed.

          

 Terrorism is a world-wide problem. By now, the governments throughout the world are realizing that terrorism is a serious threat to dealt with. They believe in the power of bombs and guns over dialogue. Terrorist acts are well-planned. Every terrorist acts usually takes days and even months of preparation. Terrorist are usually young, but the brain behind them are old, seasoned politicians. Terrorists mostly recruit younger people in their group as it is easy to brainwash them. Freedom is the right to every individual. Our freedom is taken from us when terrorism strikes.In the recent years, the most powerful country, the USA was shocked when Afghanistan-based based terrorist organizations attacked on it. On September 21, 2011 a disaster took place in the New York City when two hijacked planes were flown straight into the World Trade Centre. 6000 people were killed. The bombing of the World Trade Centre is one of the most deadly terrorist episodes in the world. This violent act of terrorism was mastermind by Al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden. After this attack, many challenges took place in front of us. Like- the old security systems were replaced by new and more complicated (also costly) security systems in airports. And in India, government developed many security measures like making more strict laws (like POTA – Prevention of Terrorist activity Act), cracking down on their centres and keeping an eye from where terrorist receive money. POTA is an anti-terrorism legislation enacted by the Parliament of India in 2002. This act replaced the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) of 2001. There measures hardy had any effect. These security measures had no effect on political terrorism but they had decreased criminal terrorism by ten percent. Due to these risks from terrorism, the security at various places like airports, railway stations and government offices are kept tightenen.It takes months and sometimes years for the government to demolish a terrorist group. The best example for this can be the operation Neptune Sphere. It took months of planning and investigation for the U.S.A. to kill Osama. Finally on May 2, 2011 at night in Pakistan he was dead shot. The plan of this operation was not shared with Pakistan’s government. The saddest thing is that India not only faces terrorism from outside but also from within. In many cases, the leader of a terrorist group was once in favour of that country. For example- Osama Bin Laden who was once promoted by the U.S.A. against Russia later became the greatest threat to the U.S.A. Terrorism is like a war, which is neither openly fought nor in a fair manner.

One of the deadliest terrorist attacks in India was the 1993 Bombay Bombings. It was a series of thirteen bombs that took place in Mumbai. The attacks were the most destructive bomb explosions in the history of India. It is believed that the explosions were in coordinate of Dawood Ibrahim, the leader of a terrorist group which stood in opposition of India.