GS3 PYQ 2020 (Mains Answer Writing): internal security threats to india | UPSC Mains: Internal Security & Disaster Management PDF Download

Analyze internal security threats and trans-border crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (MAINS GS3 2020)

Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders as well as ‘Line of Control’ have posed challenges to the Indian security forces in different aspects. Despite regular monitoring and fencing, there has been continuous infiltration of terrorists and trafficking of human, cattle drugs and arms across the border. These illegal and organized crimes activities have posed serious concerns pertaining to border management in India.
Security Threats to India’s border along with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar and role played by security forces 

• Nature of illegal activities varies from border to border. It is different along Pakistan Border while different along Indo-Myanmar border. 
• Indo-Pakistan Border: India shares 3223 km of border with Pakistan. Illegal migration, infiltration of anti-national elements, smuggling of arms explosive and drug trafficking are some of the serious problems. 
• Internal security threats along Pakistan border includes propping up of terrorist organizations in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. 
• These illegal activities are instigated by Pakistan in order to help terrorist groups IN Jammu and Kashmir and Khalistani insurgents in Punjab. 
• These terrorist groups often destabilize regional peace by creating ruckus such as bomb blasts and targeting civilians as well as government installations. 
• The entire border with Pakistan is manned by the BSF except the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) which is manned by Indian Army with some BSF battalions under its operational control. 
• Here, main aim of army and the BSF is to check physical expansion by Pakistani Army and check cross border infiltration and organized crime activities such as illegal arms and drug supply. 
• The supply of drugs along Punjab section of border is rampant which is checked by BSF and state police jointly. 
• Indo-Bangladesh Border: Mass migrations from Bangladesh into lower Assam, West Bengal and smuggling of consumer goods, fake Indian currency, arms for insurgent groups such as ULFA and cattle smuggling are main problems along Indo-Bangladesh border. 
• The counterfeiting of currency notes is said to be pushed in order to destabilize India’s economic growth while funding terrorist organizations. 
• Illegal migrants who come through this route often poses threat to demographic composition of India and are easy prey of radical Islamist groups. 
• These groups often radicalize them to carry out terror operations in the country. 
• This border is guarded by Border Security Force (BSF). A long stretch of border is covered by water bodies which causes easy infiltration from Bangladesh Side. 
• Recently, Supreme Court had ordered to fece the whole length of border with Bangladesh. 
• Indo-Myanmar Border: The border with Myanmar is operationally active as several insurgent groups have secured sanctuaries for themselves in Myanmar despite the co-operation extended by the Myanmar’s army. 
• The cross border movement of Naga and Mizo insurgents for training, purchase of arms and shelter is a general threat in this area. 
• Border management by Indian security forces due to difficult terrain obtaining in the area makes this border extremely challenging to manage. 
• This border is manned jointly by the army and some units of the Assam Rifles. 

Conclusion 
Rampant infiltration bid along different borders of India has resulted in increase in organized crime activities leading to terror attacks, counterfeiting of currency notes leading to weakening of domestic currency etc. Government of India need to devise some of the ‘State of Art’ technologies such as LASER fencing, Infra Red detection sensors, facial recognition technology coupled Big Data Analysis to secure its international borders.