WHAT DID THE MORNING SHOW?

While the entire world remained tuned monitoring the international terrorist scenario after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007, the year 2008 for India began with a jihadi attack on a camp of central para-military force (C.R.P.F.) in the state of U.P. on January 1, 2008 itself. The first ever suicide attack on an Indian national in Afghanistan was reported on January 4. There were signs of women fidayeens playing an active role in Iraq. FBI declared the LTTE as the “most dangerous” terrorist outfit. A Minister in Sri Lanka was killed in Colombo. Al-Qaeda is believed to have set up its unit in Britain. Presence of LTTE cell in Thailand was reported. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has called off the ceasefire with the LTTE. The federal scientists in the United States are engaged in working out elaborate measures to avert nuclear terrorism. In a novel measure, the UK Government is planning to train Muslim women to curb terror. In view of its worsening security situation, experts are apprehensive of the safety of “nuclear arsenal” in Pakistan, making the country a “nuclear nightmare.” The country continued to face terrorist violence at frequent intervals.

The internal security situation in India remained badly affected by Maoist violence and now there are reports of nexus between Maoists and insurgents in north-east India. By way of boosting their morale, the Maoist leadership has started providing compensation to the members of the families of cadres killed in action. The attack on the C.R.P.F. camp at Rampur in the state of U.P. was indeed a daring one.

The first step towards full-fledged democracy after a century of absolute monarchy was taken in Bhutan when the people voted to elect Members to the Upper House. It was indeed a “Himalayan Change”! The 1-lakh rupee worth car – NANO - manufactured and displayed by the Tatas in an exhibition in New Delhi, has been truly described as the “small wonder”. An Indian IIT has developed a prototype of an electric car. And days are coming when one can fit a laptop inside an envelope. There is bad news for smokers – smoking has been banned in the cafes, restaurants and bars in no other place than Paris itself. By the year 2018, a car that drives by itself will be on the road. The State of Nevada in the United States has described January 12 as the “Sanskrit Day.”

News of News – Osama bin Laden’s son has urged his father to give up violence. One can read all these and more in the General File. ‘Hope you will enjoy.

D. C. Nath, IPS (Retd.)
Former Special Director, IB (MHA), Govt. of India,
Executive President & CEO,
International Institute of Security and Safety Management,
New Delhi, India.

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