Sydney siege should serve as an eye opener for Indian security agencies in stopping the emerging Islamic State promoted terror invade vulnerable states. Since its recent arrival on the world terror stage it has become the most pressing global security concern. While taking into account the potential threat and challenges Indian security agencies must seek to locate the missing youth and keep eye on cyber space for the origin of nation-damaging material. In this context Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh insisting that the active involvement of Indian Muslim youth with ISIS was minuscule, and that only a “handful” of them were known to be associated with the outfit is surprising. He attributed the limited ISIS footprint in India to a majority of members of minority community, especially the parents, discouraging the young from being swayed by ISIS’ violent ideology. Such statements by politicians have little importance and do not give any assurance to the common man. It is wise they desist from such statement. The pain of terrorism can only be expressed by the people of states where this menace has been going on for decades and Jammu and Kashmir is the worst sufferer followed by North East. Since Jammu and Kashmir is in the last leg of five-phase elections the situation demands more caution and alertness as the threat perception is high. There is a need to build from the 2002 poll legacy the aftermath of which had seen the Vajpayee government begin talks with the separatists. In J and K political canvas is
different compared to other states where alienation and confidence deficit rides high when it comes to
state-centre relations. What Centre should do is to improve upon this prevailing deficit so that any move to spread the tentacles of terror further can be checked in time, especially saving the youth falling prey to
allurement of terror.
