"What do you understand by Narco-terrorism? Discuss the extent of the problem in India while throwing light upon the legal framework to tackle narco-terrorism."
Model Answer:
Narco-terrorism refers to spreading drug related policies making people taking drugs, which lead to addiction and acts as a source to maximize profits. It is generally used by terrorists who use drugs to fund their organization and operation. Narcotic trafficking started as an organised crime has emerged as a threat to nation states because of its association with terrorist groups. Narcotic drugs are most profitable commodity that it generates quick money only hard cash. Further, terrorism needs huge amount of money to carry out operations, which cannot be yielded through legal ways or officials, so the terrorists approach underworld dons or drug syndicates for cooperation. The criminalization of politics is the result of the same nexus. The major cause of India’s worry are illicit trafficking of drug in India through Golden Crescent and Golden Traingle.
Laws and Regulations against Narcotic Trafficking
- Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act 1985: Provides minimum punishment of 10 years.
- Indian Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985: Provides to carry out controlled delivery mechanisms measures as it deems necessary or expenditure for the purpose of preventing and combating abuse of narcotic substances.
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): Nodal agency for enforcement of laws concerning narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
- India signed bilateral agreements with USA, UK, Myanmar, Afghanistan, UAE, Mauritius, Zambia, and the Russia for ‘drug control’.
- India is a signatory of UN and SAARC convention on narcotic drugs and psychotropic Substances.
Topics: GS-III: Role of External State and Non State Actors in Creating Challenges to Internal Security