Internal Security

About Centre

The Centre focuses on issues that challenge India’s internal security. Secessionist movements based on ethnic identities in the Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir have been contesting the Indian state through violent means for decades. The Left Wing Extremism movement based on Marxist-Leninist ideology is engaged in a struggle to overthrow the democratic structure of the Indian state. Intermittent terrorist attacks perpetrated by foreign and home grown terrorist groups have been disrupting peace and political order in the country. Infiltration, illegal migration, and trafficking of arms and narcotics are not only breaching the country’s international borders but are also aggravating its security situation. The research efforts of the Centre are focused on analysing the trends, patterns, causes, and implications of these threats and challenges, and suggesting policy alternatives. The Centre’s research agenda includes: left wing extremism, insurgencies in the Northeast India, cross border terrorism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, global and national trends in terrorism, management of India’s international borders and security of its coasts.

The Centre also undertakes various projects entrusted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Security Council Secretariat on matters internal security. The Centre has a mix of civilian scholars and officers deputed from the armed forces and central armed police forces.

The Centre has a bilateral agreement to collaborate with the Border Security Forces’ Institute for Border Management and Strategic Studies.

Anti-Talk ULFA Faction: Why a Comeback is Unlikely

Given the hostility of Assamese society to indiscriminate violence and the sullied image of the ULFA leaders due to their amassing of wealth through extortions, the anti-talk ULFA faction would not be able to make a determined come back.

Namrata Goswami
February 29, 2012
IDSA Comments

Growing Maoist Activism in Assam: Sinister and Calculated Moves

Although law enforcement agencies have been receiving timely reports about growing Maoist activities in Assam, it appears that they do not pay much attention to the issue.

Nihar R. Nayak
February 24, 2012
IDSA Comments

As Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day…

Over the last few years, there is a whole range of instances where the common Kashmiri has become a part of the Indian landscape, by persevering through the difficult circumstances in the Valley and making something worthwhile of their life.

Arpita Anant
February 17, 2012
IDSA Comments

Terror Changes Its Spots

The 13/2 terrorist attack against the Israeli diplomat exposes India to the possibility of a more potent and professional group, which may have already raised the capability levels of indigenous terror cells and created a threat which is both real and potent.

Vivek Chadha
February 14, 2012
IDSA Comments

Beyond the Indus Water Treaty: A Perspective on Kashmir’s “Power” Woes

At the core of the Kashmiri discourse on the shortage of power is the distribution of water resources that was agreed to between India and Pakistan through the instrumentality of the Indus Water Treaty.

Arpita Anant
February 02, 2012
IDSA Comments

Maoists understand the limitations of Mine Proof Vehicles

After a systematic study of the MPV deployed in anti-Maoist operations, the Maoists have come to the conclusion that “There is no such thing as a mine proof vehicle”.

P. V. Ramana
January 30, 2012
IDSA Comments

Check the Downslide in India-Bangladesh Relations

India should implement its agreements with Bangladesh in a time bound manner, fast track trans-border infrastructural developmental schemes and address the interests of the common people of Bangladesh.

Pushpita Das
January 04, 2012
IDSA Comments

Maoists in ‘Golden Corridor Area’

The ‘Golden Corridor Area’ was reportedly formed by the Maoists in February 2008. It is essential to check their presence in this area in order to curtail their finances as well as to avoid industrial sabotage.

P. V. Ramana
December 19, 2011
IDSA Comments

India’s Internal Security: The Year That Was, The Year That May Be

India’s internal security situation in 2011 was relatively better than in previous years. To ensure that 2012 also turns out to be a quiet and secure year, New Delhi not only has to consolidate the gains made in 2011 but also undertake new initiatives to address these gaps.

Pushpita Das
December 13, 2011
Issue Brief

Maoist People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army

The Maoist military machine has acquired a certain versatility and lethality and the security forces would have to possess and display immense capacities to fight the Maoists militarily.