The Local Dimensions of Global Terrorism Navhind Times on the Web: Opinions by Nandkumar Kamat
There is nothing surprising that a suspected terrorist from Srinagar was hiding in Goa for more than eight months without any hint to intelligence agencies. The weakness of the intelligence may land Goa in a big trouble in the future. It would be naïve to believe that the hundreds of Kashmiri traders who have set up expensive shops are making a living by selling only carpets and handicrafts. The low budget backpackers and the tourists brought by the chartered flights do not visit Goa to buy trinkets and heavy carpets from the Kashmiris. The Interpol knows about the Kathmandu-Kulu-Manali-Goa drug links. Local people in coastal Bardez openly talk about the booming drug business, which picks up steadily after sunset. Goa has emerged as international conduit for drugs. The government may know only to touch the tip of the iceberg. Drug business and terrorism networks develop symbiotically. Narco-terrorism is the biggest threat in the world. It is the wishful thinking of the officials that narco-terrorists with international links may not be active in Goa. If they have made a base here then they are not likely to advertise it. They are likely to maintain a very low profile and may even don the masks of charitable figures. The official threat perception is very vague. Worst-case scenarios including bio-terrorist attacks should have been profiled by now, but we know nothing about preparedness of the ill-trained, ill-equipped and ill-informed local machinery. There are plenty of economic, cultural and political targets in Goa for potential terrorists. The unsuspecting, peace loving citizens have to keep their fingers crossed hoping for the best. But Goa has not yet gazetted, notified and promulgated any anti-terrorist law. There is no official eavesdropping and bugging policy to intercept sensitive communications by foreigners. The police do not even regularly monitor the wealth of data available on the Internet. Some examples would be provided here. The image of the local police in the eyes of the foreigner's cuts a very sorry figure of the law and order machinery in the state of Goa. Tourism industry in Goa is cross-subsidised by the rave party scene. The rave parties, which promote 'Goa trance/techno' music depend on psychedelic drugs. Their increasing popularity with the Israeli tourists automatically brings Goa on the cross wires of Islamic terrorists. The deteriorating political conditions in the Middle East and Palestine would lead to identification of the Israeli tourists as soft targets the world over. Israeli tourists are most welcome to the state and need full security and protection. However, they also have a duty to keep away from drugs and help the locals to maintain peace. Russian tourists are welcome but there are rumours of the entry of the Russian mafia into Goa. How many police officers would be able to understand the modus operandi of 'Russian mafia'? Even the CIA has not been able to fathom its' operations. It runs a powerful parallel government. The local dimensions of global terrorism would become clear if the intelligence agencies remain alert and manage to penetrate these networks. But the image of Goa is painted very poorly. A website portrays the trance party scene in Goa in these words-"Florescent painted trees hung with bizarre ornaments. Black lights illuminating glowing dancers. Huge sound systems. A multitude of travelers from around the globe. Wealthy Indian businessmen from Mumbai. Poor beggars from the field next door and holy men from across the sub-continent. What do all these elements and people have in common? They all converge on Goa-in bamboo groves and the beaches-for all night and into the next day trance-dance techno parties. The parties have become quite popular as of late. Since they happen during the Christmas holidays, Goan techno parties have begun to attract loads of curious Indian tourists, mostly drunken men. As a result, the raves do not really get kicking until four or five in the morning when all the annoying drunks have passed out. Fueled by psychedelic drugs, the ravers shake their bones under the hypnotic spell of DJ wizards." Another sensational website offers a full Goa trance party guide, which mentions that -For many, techno music does not make sense until you hear it on drugs, preferably LSD. It can be an amazing space for self-exploration in the mist of a few hundred stoned dancers but you need to take a great deal of care that everything goes okay. Does the home department monitor such websites? The website gives tips for "staying safe" at the Goan trance parties. The website informs us that -"These days most trance parties are centred around a bar so as to pay the baksheesh to the police. This means that until about 4am the dance floor will be awash with drunken idiots who will make your trip a nightmare. Most freaks turn up between 4 and 5 a.m. to make the most of the morning rush once the drunks have passed out in the bushes. Don't combine drugs unless you're an experienced space cadet." The Goa police would not be flattered to read what this foreign website mentions about them-" In India, like in much of the third world, laws only exist so that the police can make a living extorting those who break them. In Goa there are fortunes to be made by taking bribes from the restaurants and guesthouses that pay the police not to bust them when freaks arrive to smoke charas." Making further allegations the website says that-"They also collect 'taxes' from the local shops and businesses and make big money from the trance parties, each of which require a baksheesh of thousands of dollars to be given permission. The cops always arrive in groups and try to bust travelers trying to get stoned in peace. Interestingly the website also offers "tips" to the visitors, it says-"They'll take as much money off you as they can find, so don't be caught carrying around a lot of cash when you're smoking. Better still do not get caught smoking. Lock your doors when you are about to light a chillum, empty your ashtrays regularly and bury your charas supply somewhere outside the house. If you do get caught, stay calm and expect the cops to try and frighten you with threats of jail sentences. Bring out your money slowly and stay as aloof as you can without being disrespectful. Indians respect strength and will take no pity but may be a little unsure of themselves if you adopt a superior attitude." Thousands of such websites indicate that it is a "free for all' situation in Goa. But would our assembly discuss such issues? ~(^^)~ Avelino
