Terrorism Expert from India to Share Insights at WSU

K. Arkesh, expert on Indian counter-terrorism,, will give three lectures at Weber State University on Sept. 29.
OGDEN, Utah – On Sept. 29 at Weber State University, the former inspector general of India’s Central Reserve Police Force, will discuss his work combating terrorism.

 K. Arkesh joined India’s police force in 1976, and, for more than two decades, he participated in rescue missions, led battalions in military operations and worked with several terrorism task forces.

The public is invited to his speech, “Combating Terrorism: Indian Experience,” at 12:30 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater.

Arkesh will explore the struggles India faces with complex ethnic-religious factions competing for power. He will discuss the universal contest to balance between combating terrorism and respecting human rights. He also will give a firsthand account of how maintaining order and stability is challenged when foreign groups and governments support terrorists.

WSU political science professor T.R. Reddy said the presentation will provide insights on terrorist challenges worldwide. “His lecture on combating terrorism is timely as we face terrorist threats around the globe,” Reddy said. “Inspector Arkesh has successfully dealt with terrorist movements in many hotspots of India.”

Prior to his public address, Arkesh will speak to two student classes. His first presentation, “Social Incongruity and Left-wing Extremism in India,” will be held at 9:30 a.m. in Social Science Room 119. He will focus on the turbulent process of transformation from a caste-ridden feudal society to a secular socialistic democracy. Tribal, rural poor and lower-caste groups turned to combat to force the transformation, creating major challenges for India’s internal security.

Arkesh will then present “Banditry: A Case of Veerappan: India’s Al Capone,” which will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Social Science Room 119. Arkesh will discuss the difficulties of capturing Veerappan, a smuggler, poacher, kidnapper and terrorist who used the region’s unrest to elude police in southern India’s forests for 20 years. He was responsible for approximately 184 police, forest official and civilian deaths.

Arkesh has been an instructor for India’s Internal Security Academy, as well as a lecturer and research fellow for the University of Mysore. In addition, he was awarded the India’s Presidential Police Medal for Distinguished Service, the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, the Parakram Medal and Director General’s Commendation Disc with three stars.

All three of Arkesh’s lectures are free and open to the public. They are sponsored by the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, the Department of English, the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service, and Student Involvement and Leadership.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Author:
Ivonne Dabb, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-6232 ivonnedabb@weber.edu
Contact:
T.R. Reddy, political science professor
801-626-6674 trreddy@weber.edu