How Did we end up 2007?

This is what we had prognosticated in January, 2008: “Taking things at their face value, a modest appreciation would be that in 2006, the calming forces were comparatively weaker than those having the potential for bringing in more miseries for common citizens thirsting for peace and tranquility. If some parochial view is permitted, those in charge of the internal security situation in India would be hard-pressed, if not harassed, in arresting the rising graph of violence – be it caused by Muslim terrorists, again of different hues and colours or by left extremists or by other separatists or insurgent groups in the north-eastern states, acknowledgedly aided and abated by forces from across the border.”

Even though we are not off the mark, we will refrain from attempting another prognosis for 2008. Instead, let us see how we ended up in 2007.

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007, is the most ‘damaging’ terrorist act in the geopolitical scene after 9/11 in New York. Even though Emergency was lifted on December 15, 2007, Pakistan continues to be under turmoil with yet another suicide attack on a mosque. While the situation in Iraq remains uncertain, there were distinct signs of resurgence of the Talibans in Afghanistan. 67 persons were killed in Algeria and a top Labanese General was also killed during the month. Some arrests were made in Paris. Belgium police busted a al-Qaeda plot of jail break.

The Maoists in Kathmandu have rejoined the government. Prachanda has criticized the LTTE for killing innocent people. Both the government and the Maoists in Kathmandu have resolved to bid good-bye to the Nepalese monarchy. Some elements in Terai region raised slogans for seceding from Nepal.

US has claimed that it has rights to kidnap foreign citizens under the US laws. M15 of UK has warned top banks of state-sponsored cyber espionage by China.

The internal security situation in India received a big jolt with the Maoists freeing 294 inmates from Chhattisgarh jail on December 16, 2007. Following that, the most severe warning so far came from the Prime Minister of India, asking all concerned States to “crush” Naxals by all means. The tenuous law and order situation in north-eastern region of India received a shock with the appearance of Babbar Khalsa International elements in Shillong (Meghalaya).

In tune with some of his earlier announcements, Saudi King urged all faithfuls coming for Haj to be tolerant to other faiths. The Deoband leadership, the Asia’s leading Islamic seminary, has issued a Fatwa denouncing terrorism and stating that it should not be equated with jihad (holy war).

According to global economic crime survey, there was distinct rise in corporate crime. The first full-fledged police station for economic offences has since been announced in New Delhi.

The United Nations General Assembly has taken a significant step towards the abolition of death penalty.

A remote-operated unmanned bomb detector is ready to roll. Elephants can track their family by the signature smell of urine. Monkeys have arithmetic talent and the dogs are ‘smarter’ than what they are thought to be. And, if you want to develop a good self-appraisal methodology, get all these in General Information File.

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.

Go Top