NCJ Number
61678
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 7, SUPPLEMENT Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 167-170
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE NATURE AND GOALS OF URBAN TERRORISM ARE DISCUSSED, AND TACTICS TO COUNTER TERRORISM ARE RECOMMENDED, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO INDIA.
Abstract
TERRORISM IS A SYSTEMATIC ATTEMPT TO INDUCE FEAR AND ANXIETY IN A POPULACE FOR SOME POLITICAL OR SOCIAL PURPOSE. ALTHOUGH TERRORIST GROUPS ARE RELATIVELY SMALL, THE USE OF MODERN WEAPONRY, SKILLED PLANNING AND EXECUTION, AND BOLD DISREGARD FOR CIVILIZED MORALITY ENABLES THEM TO CAUSE SHOCKING DAMAGE TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. URBAN TERRORISM IS OF TWO TYPES: (1) DIRECT TERRORISM ACTIONS SUCH AS ASSASSINATIONS AND KIDNAPPINGS PERPETRATED AGAINST PARTICULAR PERSONS IN POWER TARGETED AS ENEMIES OF THE TERRORIST CAUSE, AND (2) INDIRECT TERRORISM -- RANDOM ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS. THE GOALS OF TERRORISM ARE (1) TO POPULARIZE A MESSAGE OR IDEOLOGY, (2) TO ESTABLISH THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AS A CREDIBLE FORCE IN THE EYES OF A PARTICULAR GOVERNMENT OR THE WORLD, (3) TO BROADEN A POWER BASE, (4) TO UNDERMINE THE PRESTIGE AND MORALE OF THE AUTHORITIES, AND (5) TO PROVOKE THE GOVERNMENT TO REPRESSIVE OVERREACTION THAT WILL ALIENATE MANY CITIZENS. TERRORISM GROWS FROM A PERCEIVED SENSE OF DEPRIVATION (THE NAXALITE MOVEMENT IN INDIA IS LED BY UNEMPLOYED, EDUCATED YOUTH), AN ATTRACTION FOR VIOLENCE, AND LOW RISKS OF CONSEQUENCES FOR TERRORIST BEHAVIOR. STEPS TO CONTAIN TERRORISM SHOULD INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO ELIMINATE SANCTUARIES FOR TERRORISTS, IMPROVED INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS, AND A POLICY OF REFUSAL TO NEGOTIATE OR PROVIDE CONCESSIONS TO TERRORISTS. USUAL PROCEDURES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE NOT ADEQUATE TO DEAL WITH THE ADVANCED STAGES OF TERRORISM. THE PATTERN OF EMERGENCY LAW USED BY THE BRITISH IN NORTHERN IRELAND, WHICH INVOLVES INTERNMENT, JURYLESS TRIALS, RELAXATION OF THE RULES OF EVIDENCE AND BURDEN OF PROOF, AND MAKING IT A CRIME TO BE A MEMBER OF PARTICULAR ASSOCIATIONS IS A MODEL TO BE FOLLOWED IN DEALING WITH TERRORISM. (RCB)