Rajnath Singh chairs meet to check ISIS influence

Rajnath Singh meeting with the concerned national intelligence and investigative agencies and law enforcement officers of 12 State Governments and the Union Territory of Delhi to discuss issues relating to DAESH, also known as ISIL or ISIS, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting of top officials of central intelligence and investigative agencies and the police of 13 states and discussed steps to check the growing influence of the Islamic State (ISIS) among youngsters through social media and other sources.

Mr Singh held the day-long meeting to review the situation arising out of some Indian youth getting attracted to ISIS, also known as ISIL or Daesh, and how to deal with the emerging challenge.

“The issues that were discussed included misuse of social media, sources of impetus that attract persons, especially youth, to Daesh, the growth of Daesh influence in India’s neighbourhood and the best possible law enforcement response,” a senior official of the home ministry said.

The need for appropriate welfare schemes for minorities, social media strategies to be followed and capacity-building of state police organisations, especially in the area of information technology, were also discussed threadbare. In his remarks, the home minister said India’s traditions and family values will triumph over even this evil, and that while the traction that Daesh has got in India is extremely limited and almost insignificant relative to other countries, yet there is a need to keep up vigil on all fronts, and not let down the guard in any manner.

Mr Singh said a large number of people and most Muslim organisations in India had come out against both Daesh and other forms of terrorism. According to intelligence agencies, a total of 23 Indians have so far joined ISIS of which six were reportedly killed in different incidents. Around 150 Indians are under surveillance for their alleged online links with ISIS, officials said.