B.5. Linkages between organized crimes and terrorism in India
In India, the linkages between the two exist at national and transnational levels. At the national level, both terrorists and those involved in organized crime are within India. At the international level, collaboration exists between transnational syndicates and terrorists from inside and outside India.
- India’s proximity to drug-producing regions like Golden Crescent in the West and Golden Triangle in the East has always been a cause of worry.
- In the Northeast, extortion is the fundamental basis for funding all forms of terrorism. In addition to this, kidnapping has been used extensively for spreading terror and raising funds. Human trafficking, drug trafficking, and gun-running are some of the other criminal activities that have been common in these areas.
- In J&K, counterfeit currency has been a major source of funding for terrorism.
- In the Maoist terror movements, extortion is yet again a common phenomenon. They have also indulged in robberies of banks to fund their movement. There have also been reports of cuts being enforced on drug-yielding crops in the region.
- The Indian Mujahideen have also resorted to crime to raise funds. This includes robberies, kidnappings, etc.
There are also several insurgent groups that over some time have morphed into crime syndicates. What began as an ideological movement is now merely a means of generating profit. This is especially the case with insurgent groups in Northeast India.
Another significant relationship between organized crime and terrorism, especially in Kashmir, is through the spread of counterfeit currency. Terrorists are the main couriers of Indian counterfeit currency inside Kashmir, which then spreads all over India. Even guides for the militants from across the border are paid with counterfeit money.
[Image- Relation Between Trafficking and Terrorism]