Curb social media to counter-terrorism, says General Bipin Rawat

Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday called for putting "some checks and curbs" on the "population, Internet and social media and social communication which the terrorist organisations resort to".

"I do appreciate that in a democratic country people would not want this kind of restriction to be put on them. But I think we have to take a call whether we want a safe and secure environment, or we are willing to accept some kinds of curbs at least temporarily so that the menace of terrorism can be dealt with in a holistic manner," he said, speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, a conference hosted by an Indian think tank in collaboration with India's foreign ministry.

Stating that all terror groups had a militant and a political front, the Army chief called for targeting both. He said even when a militant outfit was curbed, its political front continued to unleash propaganda. Gen Rawat also stressed on cutting terrorism funding and raised concerns over nuclear, biological and chemical weapons falling into the hands of terrorists.

Countries which support terrorism need to be "tackled" and terrorism is here to stay unless the world joins hands to end it, Gen Rawat said.

Without naming Pakistan which India accuses of supporting terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir, he said: "Nation states that support terror to achieve their ends need to be tackled first.”

"Whatever weapons are found with the terrorists, at least the origin of the weapon can be traced. As of now, very sophisticated weapons are landing in the hands of terrorists but it is difficult to find the source of that weapon," Gen Rawat said.

According to him, the biggest threat was that terrorists may get hold of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. This, he said, "can spell disaster for humanity".

Earlier, Gen Rawat’s remarks that “social media and government schools are spreading disinformation campaign resulting in radicalisation of youth in Kashmir” and demand for “some control” over mosques and madrasas in the state had drawn flak from the state government, mainstream opposition parties and civil societies alike.

(With inputs from IANS)