India ready for IS threat

Muslim youth from South India more attracted to I.S.

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju has claimed that despite threats from the Islamic State (IS), India as a country is prepared to tackle the terrorists very efficiently. He said that Muslim youth from South Indian states were getting attracted towards the Islamic State.

"It's very difficult for me make a comment on that. South India has been having traditionally more links with Middle East so there is more regular exchange of traveling there. But I cannot say that it's the reason. But reports have come more from South India and that's a reality," said Rijiju.

For the first time after the IS terror attacks on Ankara, Beirut and Paris and the shooting down of a Russian airliner, a Union minister has spoken in detail about India's vulnerability to and preparedness against any threat from IS. In an exclusive interview to the India Today TV programme ‘To The Point,’ on the 7th anniversary of the 26/11 attack on Mumbai, Rijiju has answered pointed and probing questions on India’s preparedness to tackle IS. Rijiju expressed confidence that India is well equipped to handle the situation and the situation is not as alarming as compared to other parts of the world.

"We have issues and there are cases before us but it is not as threatening as the Western Europe is witnessing and credit goes to the Muslims also, who are successful by and large in containing the youth from getting into their sway," said Rijiju. But the minister also appealed to people that the issue should not be seen from a regional angle.

On recent reports about areas around Howrah in West Bengal emerging as the new recruitment area for the IS, Rijiju said, "Definitely there are some vulnerable areas and these are being given due importance."