Rajnath Singh discusses IS influence with 13 state security agencies

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday met representatives of 13 security agencies of different states here and discussed alarming influence of Islamic State (IS) over youths through social media.

He also reviewed security aspects during the day-long meeting with the officers from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

The officers belong to intelligence department and law enforcement agencies discussed issues relating to Daesh, also known as ISIL, ISIS or IS, a home ministry statement said, adding that the meeting was also attended by senior officials of the union home ministry.

The issues discussed included imisuse of social media, and the sources of impetus that attract persons, especially youths, to IS, the statement said.

The growth of IS' influence in India's neighbourhood, the best possible law enforcement response, the need for appropriate welfare schemes for minorities, social media strategies to be followed and capacity building of state police organizations, especially in the area of information technology were the additional issued discussed in the meeting, the statement said.

In his concluding remarks, Rajnath Singh said: "India's traditions and family values will triumph over even this evil, and that the traction that Daesh has got in India is extremely limited."

He however noted that there was a need to keep up vigil on all fronts and not let down their guard in any manner but noted that a large number of people and, in fact, most Muslim organisations in India had come out against both Daesh and other forms of terrorism.