4 Aug : The Defence Minister has warned the country of chemical weapons finding their way into the hands of terrorists. Releasing a compendium here today on disaster management during a chemical weapons attack, Shri AK Antony noted that the terrorists are getting more fanatic and are always on the look out to cause maximum casualties.
“Terrorists are getting more and more aggressive in their activities the world over,” Shri Antony said, releasing the national guidelines on ‘Management of Chemical Terrorism Disaster,’ compiled by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). “They are adopting newer techniques and technology in their mode of operation,” he added.
The March 20, 1995 Sarin gas attack on Tokyo subway, which killed a dozen, injured 50 and caused temporary vision problem to at least a thousand others, were the first major incident that brought before the world the dangers of terrorists unleashing a chemical attack.
The NDMA guidelines have been prepared by experts from various streams, academia and scientific institutions. Experts from the Armed Forces Medial Services and the Defence Research and Development Organisation have made significant contributions in the formulation of guidelines.
The guidelines are comprehensive and deal with several issues like counter-terrorism strategies, surveillance and environmental monitoring, prevention of illegal trafficking of hazardous waste, Human Resource Development, which includes education and training, knowledge management and community awareness.
“The Defence Ministry shall also prepare itself for the management of Chemical Terrorism Disaster,” Shri Antony declared.
It may be recalled that India became one of the original signatories of the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993. The treaty, which came into effect on April 29, 1997, was ratified by parliament on September 02, 1996, as India became the 62nd country to do so. Under the terms India would undertake the destruction of its entire chemical weapons stockpile in ten years.