Islamic terrorists thriving in Uttar Pradesh, due local Muslim support and pro-minority state policies
Posted by jagoindia on August 27, 2008
Terror outfits thrive on local support in UP
By Amita Verma
Lucknow
Aug. 26: In the absence of the fear factor, Uttar Pradesh is fast turning into a safe haven for terrorist outfits.
Terror outfits find an abundance of local and logistics support in the state that boasts of a lax intelligence network. Availability of unemployed youth and “minority-friendly” governments provide a perfect ambience for such outfits to grow and flourish.
Almost every major terror attack in the country in the past few years has had links with Uttar Pradesh in ways more than one. Abul Bashar, accused in the Ahmedabad blasts, lived in Azamgarh district until he was picked up by the Gujarat police. Shahbaz Hussein, named in Jaipur blasts, was picked up by the Rajasthan police on Monday. The accused in the blasts at Varanasi and the courts in Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi were also local people.
According to police records, over 46 terrorist attacks have taken place in UP in the past 15 years and 51 hardcore terrorists have been arrested by the Special Task Force. There are a dozen militant outfits that have a base in UP or draw their strength from the state.
“Our biggest problem is the porous UP-Nepal border that allows terrorists to move in and out of the country without any major hindrance. Terrorists coming from Pakistan effortlessly mingle with the local people and it is difficult to identify them — more so, because they find immense local support here,” says a top police official.
Azamgarh, in eastern UP, has emerged as a breeding ground for terrorists. Once home to the likes of Dawood Ibrahim and Abu Salem, this district is now the recruiting ground for terrorist organisations. Unemployment, say police officials, is a major reason why the youth get drawn towards the underworld or terrorist groups with the lure of big money acting as a catalyst.
Another major factor that has allowed the growth of terrorism in UP is the pro-minority policies of the state government.
