Extremists have a field day in Kerala

By O.J.George

Recently four youths were shot dead by the military personnel in Kashmir on the border with Pakistan. I remember the authorities in Kerala were not initially prepared to concede the fact that these youths belonged to Kerala. After the intelligence wings zeroed in on the individuals, the authorities were showing signs of doing something to deal with extremist elements in Kerala.

The saddest part of the operations of the terrorists apparently was the traps laid on goondas and cornering them to do acts of extremism. I doubt whether the goons were informed about the intention of their being finally used for subversive activities. Anyhow, the extremist elements should be grabbed and the tendency should be nipped in the bud.

I heard comments from certain informed quarters on television channels about the duty of the government to do something about the unemployed youths. Even though people do not subscribe to the view that compulsory military attachment should be enforced, for fear of being dubbed autocratic, it is desirable that a large number unemployed youth be drafted to the military services. They can be pressed into service for all sorts of work during peace time. Mind you, there won’t be any more large-scale war in modern times, for the nuclear arsenal with China, India and Pakistan would dccimate the earth if there is a war. Constructive work can be drawn out from the youth who are being drafted into the military.

A large number of the youth can be taken in the police and para-military forces. An empty mind is the devil’s workshop. Our youth should not be left empty-handed. Otherwise, there would be a lot of undesirable activities on their part.

Of course, extremism, terrorism and subversive activities should be routed out. Therseshould be no leniency in dealing with them.