TERROR FUNDING-THREAT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
-Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible and demanding at gun point
-According to Mahatma Gandhi “The spirit of democracy cannot be established in the midst of terrorism, whether governmental or popular.”
-Terror funding is the provision of funds or providing financial support to individual terrorists or non-state actors.
-Most countries have implemented measures to counter terror funding often as part of their money laundering laws.
-In India the 2008 Mumbai attacks changed this to a great extent.
-the Indian government commissioned specialised agencies and enacted legislations in order to curb the money flow to terrorist and insurgent groups like LeT, IM, Maoists, and the ULFA.
-These groups individually generate anywhere between ₹25 crore to ₹1000 crore annually to underwrite their expenses.
-Recently The Kerala govt is embroiled in a high-profile gold smuggling case worth crores. CM Mr Pinarayi Vijayan’s principal secretary’s role is under scanner, and allegations have been leveled against a sitting state minister. What is the Kerala gold smuggling case all about
-On July 5, Customs officials at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport seized baggage containing gold weighing over 30 kg and valued at around Rs 15 crore. This gold was inside diplomatic baggage that landed by air cargo, and was addressed to the UAE consulate.
-It was also learnt that the 30 kg smuggled gold was hidden inside baggage concealed in bathroom equipment and electronic devices.
-The names which came in public domain are
-Swapna Suresh: A former staffer at the UAE consulate, Swapna Suresh was hired by a private firm to work on a project for Kerala IT department, which is under Chief Minister Mr Pinarayi Vijayan. The CM’s principal secretary M Sivasankar used to head this department.
-M Sivasankar: He was Chief Minister Mr Pinarayi Vijayan’s principal secretary and headed the IT department under which Swapna Suresh was hired. Sivasankar has been suspended and sacked from his post after his name cropped up in investigation
-PS Sarith: A former PRO at the UAE consulate
-Sandeep Nair &
-Fazil Fareed: He is a Keralite based in the UAE and is a key suspect in this case.
-Gold smuggling is not new to Kerala. Last year more than 550 kg of smuggled gold was reportedly seized in the state, a national record.
-Over the past two weeks, the political atmosphere in Kerala has heated up; investigating agencies have grilled a number of people and have arrested some of them
-The gold smuggling case in Kerala is being used by the Congress and the BJP to tarnish the image of the LDF government and of Chief Minister Mr Pinarayi Vijayan says CPI(M)
-To discuss this in detail we have former principal secretary of CM Kerala Dr C V Anand Bose IAS
Below were the Questions asked to Dr. CV Ananda Bose for that we have got a fair and unbiased interactive session as you can watch them for your development of your own opinion on the topic. We have tried our best to be neutral and positive throughout the interactive session.
Q) Dr Bose u have heard about the Kerala Gold Smuggling case…What are your views about this?
Q) Which are the agencies investigating in this?
Q) What are the implications of the gold smuggling?
Q) Do you think that this gold smuggling is linked with terror funding?
Q) According to you who are involved in this?
Q) What do you think centre and state governments should do to handle this ?
Q) Is this is only confined to Kerala or its having national ramifications?
Q) such incident took place in any other country? If yes how they dealt with?
Q) As per media report Chief Minister Office is involved in this…What are your comments?
Q) According to you this incident has any link with Delhi Riots. If yes, Can you please explain?
Q) Do you recall any such incidents where such funding is used to topple the government and create divisiveness in the country?
Q) The Chief Minister of Kerala’s office is under fire. The Principal Secretary of the Chief Minister is placed under suspension. You also worked as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Kerala. Have you come across such type of incident?
Q) What are the responsibilities of an IAS officer in such high post?
Q) Have you come across gold smuggling cases in your long career of IAS. If yes how u dealt with such type of cases
Q) How this gold smuggling will impact on Gold Market in India?
Q) How this Gold Smuggling will impact National Security of India?
Q) According to you Is this not a witch-hunt to topple the state government or to damper their chances in next year assembly elections
Q) Your suggestions to the government and advice to Public
