Maharashtra Board Class 10 Defence Studies Chapter 2 Internal Security PDF Download

Internal Security

The defence of the 'territory, sovereignty and freedom of the country' is the fundamental aspect of India's security policy. Even though this approach to security is important, it is not the only approach to the understanding of the broad range of security issues that a nation faces. Security policy, in a wider sense, encompasses the economic, industrial, and technological base; the cohesiveness of the socio-cultural structure; the resilience and stability of the political system; and the efficacy of diplomacy. There is a need to connect the military capability approach to security policy with the domestic policy. This chapter goes beyond conventional approaches that identify security with the defence of frontiers and focuses on the emergent threat of internal security. This threat is an important challenge to India's national security today.

The UN High Level Panel on 'Threats, Challenges and Changes' argues that today's threats recognize no national boundaries but are connected, and must be addressed at the global, regional and national levels. It identifies areas of threats with which the world must be concerned:

Economic and social threats, including poverty, infectious diseases and environmental degradation.

Inter-State conflict.

Internal conflict, including civil war, genocide and other large-scale atrocities.

Nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological weapons.

Terrorism.

Some Internal Security Threats To India

This section would now focus on the following threats to India's internal security:

1. Cross-Border terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir.

2. Left Wing Extremism in certain areas.

3. Terrorism.

4. Cross border terrorism in the North Eastern region of India.

1. Jammu And Kashmir

The state of Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions: Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. This state shares borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan and China; thus making it a very important state of the Indian Union. You have studied the border disputes that exist between India and Pakistan and India and China in the region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Teacher's Note

Kashmir is an important state because it shares borders with three countries. The government works hard to keep this region safe and peaceful.

Exam Trick

Remember: Jammu and Kashmir has three regions - Ladakh, Jammu, and Kashmir. Think "LJK" to remember all three.

Points to Remember

Jammu and Kashmir shares borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.
This state is very important for India's security.
There are border disputes with Pakistan and China in this region.
The government works to keep this region safe.

You may have read about various conflicts that exist between various militant groups and Indian security forces in Kashmir. The State of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) has been affected by terrorist and separatist violence, sponsored and supported from across the border, for more than two and half decades. The militancy in the State is linked with infiltration of terrorists from across the border. Sometimes there is an increase in infiltration from the Pakistan side and the Indian security forces have to respond to ensure that the terrorists are prevented from entering Indian Territory.

There have been many instances in Kashmir where young children were used by militants to throw stones on security forces. There have also been instances where the militants have burned down several school buildings. The militants have also attacked residential cantonments of security forces that have resulted in the killing of security forces and civilians.

The Union Government and the State Government, has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross border infiltration. This is done in the following ways:

i. Construction of border fencing.

ii. Improved technological surveillance.

iii. Improved intelligence.

iv. Discouragment of the local youth from joining militancy.

The government has also tried to ensure that the socio-economic problems faced by the people of the state are properly looked into. To achieve this, there is a need to maintain peace and stability in the region. Therefore the government seeks to provide an opportunity to all the sections of the population to participate in the decision making process. The Government of India has launched a scheme called 'UDAAN' that aims at skills development of the state's unemployed youth, to enable them to seek employment in various industries.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir faces another important problem. The growth of militancy in early 1990s, resulted in the displacement of a large number of Kashmiri Pandit families along with some Sikh and Muslim families from the Kashmir Valley to Jammu, Delhi and other parts of the country. The Indian government has been providing relief and rehabilitation to the displaced people from Kashmir.

Teacher's Note

The government uses fences and technology to stop terrorists from crossing the border. For example, like how your school has a gate and security to keep students safe.

Exam Trick

Remember: UDAAN is a government scheme. It helps young people get jobs. This keeps them away from militant groups.

Points to Remember

Border fencing stops terrorists from entering India.
Improved technology helps catch infiltrators.
Good intelligence helps police know about attacks before they happen.
UDAAN scheme gives jobs to young people.
Many families had to leave Kashmir because of violence.

2. Left Wing Extremism

The origin of the left wing extremist movement otherwise called the Naxalite movement can be traced to the Telangana movement (1946-51).

Telengana Movement: The region, now being called Telangana, was part of the erstwhile Hyderabad state which became part of India. The Telengana movement was a rebellion by the peasant community against the feudal lords of Telengana. The Telengana movement was a product of the efforts by communist and socialist parties to organise the peasantry against injustices committed by the feudal lords.

In 1967 protests were held in Naxalbari against the feudal system in India. Since the protest began in Naxalbari it has been called Naxalite movement. They are also referred to as 'Maoists' because they follow the ideology of Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung). This movement is known to follow violent means to promote their ideology. This has resulted in loss of lives and property.

Teacher's Note

Naxalite movement started because poor farmers were treated badly by rich landlords. This happened a long time ago in 1967 in a place called Naxalbari.

Exam Trick

Remember: Naxalites = Maoists. Both names mean the same group. Naxalbari is where it all started. "Naxal" = Naxalbari.

Points to Remember

Naxalite movement started in 1967 in a place called Naxalbari.
They are also called Maoists because they follow Mao's ideas.
The movement used violence to fight against feudal lords.
Poor farmers started this movement because they were treated badly.
This movement caused loss of many lives.

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