A National Meet on Terrorism and Corruption in India was held by IIP, at India International Center on 9th January, 2018. The seminar addressed pertinent issues relating to the threat of terrorism and the terrorism financing terrorist activities in India such as sports betting, money laundering, drug trafficking, illegal financial dealings, hawala trade etc. & ways and means to prevent it. All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), present at the event, felt that legalizing and regulating the Gambling and Betting Industry will be one such positive step as means to not only track and tackle illegal funds in the industry but also curb the diversion of black money used to finance terrorist organizations.

Chaired by the Chief Guest, Shri Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, National Vice President – BJP, the seminar brought together eminent personalities such as Mr. Maxwell Pereira (Rtd. Joint Police Commissioner, Delhi), Sh. Vikram Singh (Ex DGP, UP), Sh. M.S. Bitta (chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front), Sh. R S N Singh (Security Expert), Sh. Hitesh Shankar, Editor, Panchjanya and Ex. Lt General Raj Kadyan as key speakers to conduct a detailed dialogue on terrorist funding in India.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Vikram Singh (Ex. DIG, UP) said, “A large part of the funding to terrorist organizations is contributed through illegal betting on cricket & politics. The entire market is controlled by terrorists operating through rogues and criminals in the country. Stringent actions against illegal betting would strike hard on sources funding terrorism all over the country”.

Sharing his views on the matter Mr. M. S Bitta, Chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front said, “Government’s initiatives such as demonetization and GST have restricted terrorist funding and its impact is visible on ground. It is time that we tighten the hold on the funds provided to terrorist associates”.

Terrorism has grown to be a big threat for the major economies world over. Terrorist financing is the process by which terrorists fund their operations in order to perform their activities. Terrorists use techniques like those of money launderers to evade authorities’ attention and to protect the identity of their sponsors and of the ultimate beneficiaries of the funds. A successful campaign against terrorism must include measures to target terrorist source of funding.