November 8, 2016 is being hailed as a red letter day for India, by Indians the world over. On a day, or should we say, a rather warm November evening, the Government of India slaked an implacable blow at the very heart of the vast unaccounted black economy of the country.
At precisely 20:16 hours, the Prime Minister in his first televised broadcast to the nation, ‘Demonetised ₹ 500 and 1000 currency, with effect from 00:00 hours on 9th November, 2016.
The news shocked and shook the nation, almost like a ‘Nuclear detonation’, and within minutes, social media and TV news was abuzz with the repercussions, thereof.
Economic pundits, politicians, business and industry, analysts, and people from all walks poured out their reactions, which continues to reverberate till now.
Amidst the jubilant mood of the vast majority of people, came voices of dissent at the ‘most unexpected move’ by the incumbent Government of India. Who were these people expressing unhappiness over the decision of the Government, and why?
Among the most vocal voice to dissent with the policy decision, was Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressed displeasure in a series of tweets. Incidentally, Bengal is a sensitive region, along with North East and Jammu & Kashmir, for internal security due to illegal immigration and terrorist infiltration.
We are not going to delve into politics of the Demonetisation policy, but we shall look into what has been the repercussions of Demonetisation on internal security, and its implications:
1. Entirely, and I mean 100% of Over Ground Networks of Azadi supporters, Pak back militants, and mukhbirs for terrorists in the wide state of Jammu and Kashmir have been destroyed- without firing a single bullet.
2. It has been cross verified that terrorists waiting at launch pads across Line of Control, have been sent back to training camps deeper inside Pakistan, and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
3. Separatist leaders in Kashmir have suffered similarly because their existing flow of cash funds through various illegal banking channels (hawala transfer) have been affected.
4. Militants in North Eastern states of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, and few operating in Arunachal have suffered a crushing blow due to their inability to use their existing stocks of currency notes.
5. Security Forces have been put on heightened alert to strike, near known points of operations of these terror outfits.
6. Other than active militants operating in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal another group which has been equally affected by demonetised currency, are the left extremists in anti naxal operations area.
7. Media reports have pegged the loss to active naxals at ₹ 7500 Crore. However, security forces involved in Anti Naxal Ops do put the figure at around ₹ 9,000 Crore+
Some political entities have claimed that millions of common citizens are being affected by the repercussions of demonetised currency, however, reality is these women and men of our esteemed political establishment have been most affected by the decision of Govt of India.
Political leaders who speak for the people, are in spirit speaking for themselves, and the loss suffered at the collapse own financial structures.
These leaders have for long controlled the internal mechanism which has been allowed to thrive, in turn helping them sustain their political power.
Hence, it is important for us to understand which are the areas affected by demonetised currency and how.
A. Jammu and Kashmir: Drugs, illegal weapons, terrorism, militancy, over ground workers for separatist/secessionist, espionage on security forces.
B. Bengal: Cross border smuggling of cattle, human trafficking, narcotics, weapons transit from other states, local arms industry, bootlegging, chit funds, FICN transit, real estate, property syndicate, religious conversion, hawala transit.
C. Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana: Illegal weapons transit, bootlegging, maoists, naxalite camps, jihadi groups in jungles, real estate mafia, FICN, Illegal arms, extortion, etc
D. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan: Real estate, drugs, weapons trade, hawala, FICN, cattle smuggling, human trafficking, underground terror groups.
E. Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand: Religious conversion, illegal weapons trade, FICN, Drugs, real estate, espionage on armed forces (veterans), hawala, etc
F. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka: Narcotics, FICN, hawala, religious conversion, arms proliferation, Naxalite camps.
G. Maharashtra: Hawala, FICN, religious conversions, weapons proliferation, real estate, drugs, Naxalites etc..
H. Gujarat: Hawala, Bootlegging, cattle smuggling etc.
All the above structures are heavily influenced by and thrive with support of political entities and regional satrap.
It is this structure which has suffered most owing to demonetised currency.
No small wonder, some politicians are shouting the loudest against demonetisation of 500/1000 currency. Not for the people, but for the massive loss to their own financial interest and support.
It is for the people of India to wake up to good and bad, the right and wrong, and realise the magnitude of the decision of the Government.
Inconvenience caused to the people will be temporary, inconvenience those who have caused harm to India, will be permanent, and have far reaching consequences in the days, months and years to come.
(for more please follow this Twitter thread on how internal security is being impacted, and follow this thread for political comments)
