Subject: Internal Security

The recent ban on Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir has highlighted the critical challenge of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) who act as the invisible support system for terrorist organizations, threatening India's internal security framework.

Role of OGWs in Assisting Terrorist Organizations

Logistical Support:

• Provide safe houses, transportation, and local intelligence to terrorist organizations.
• Act as conduits for funds, weapons, and ammunition through established networks.
• Facilitate cross-border movement and local recruitment of vulnerable youth.

Intelligence Operations:

• Conduct reconnaissance of security forces' movements and installations.
• Gather information about potential targets and security vulnerabilities.
• Maintain communication channels between terrorist groups and handlers.

Propaganda and Radicalization:

• Spread extremist ideology and anti-national narratives among local populations.
• Use social media platforms for recruitment and radicalization.
• Organize protests and demonstrations to create civil unrest.

Measures to Neutralize OGW Influence

Legal and Administrative Actions:

• Implementation of stringent laws like UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) with over 250 OGWs arrested in J&K in 2023.
• Enhanced surveillance and intelligence gathering through multi-agency coordination.
• Regular security audits and background checks in sensitive areas.

Social and Economic Interventions:

• Implementation of deradicalization programs targeting vulnerable youth.
• Creation of employment opportunities through schemes like Udaan and Himayat.
• Strengthening community engagement and trust-building initiatives.

Technology and Intelligence:

• Use of advanced surveillance systems and data analytics.
• Implementation of integrated command and control centers.
• Enhanced cyber monitoring to track digital footprints of OGWs.

The fight against OGWs requires a multi-pronged approach combining security measures with social interventions. Success stories like the arrest of 135 OGWs in J&K by mid-2020 demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated action by security forces. The way forward lies in strengthening community resilience, enhancing intelligence capabilities, and implementing comprehensive rehabilitation programs for reformed OGWs.