| Fighting terrorists
While replying to the debate on the controversial anti-terrorism Bill in Parliament the Union Home Minister LK Advani tried to allay the fear that the law would be misused against minorities and political opponents. But the Home Minister has miserably failed in his attempt. The law, which has already been promulgated through an ordinance since October last year, provides capital punishment for terrorist killings, 90 days of detention without trial, special courts to deal with terrorist cases and powers to police to intercept communication which could be later presented as evidence in court.
That the NDA regime was determined to push through the legislation despite opposition by the Rajya Sabha was evident when it is decided to convene the joint session of the Parliament. With this the NDA tried to better its popularity chart, which has taken a nosedive. It tried to use Ayodhya to win more support, but the plan boomeranged. Hence, the anti-terrorism Bill. It is not without reason that those opposing the legislation called it "draconian".
The mention of the legislation causes cold sweats in regions like North-East, where other laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been misused freely. One MP from the North-East while participating in the debate told the joint sitting how the problem of insurgency proliferated in
the North-East after the Armed Forces Special Powers Act was promulgated. Under the powers given by the "draconian law" innocent people go on missing, many killed in fake encounters and innocent citizens are subjected to inhuman treatment on the pretext of fighting the militants. Indeed the security forces deployed in the region seem to be fighting the citizens rather than the insurgents. the result is that more and more people are alienated not only from the security
forces, but also from the national mainstream.
The NDA Government's attempt to contain terrorist activities in the country will find support countrywide. But what is needed are not more stringent laws, but effective policing and improving the criminal justice system. The country has more than enough laws that can deal with all forms of law breaking. With an inefficient and ineffective criminal justice system, no law how stringent it may be is going to help. It needs to be pointed out that terrorists make parts of the country their playground because of lack of legislation.
Kept in a bind by unscrupulous politicians the country's police forces are turned into toothless tigers. While the present Governor Ved Marwah was the Police Commissioner in Delhi, the then Union Home Minister reportedly rebuked him for talking about laws. "You are on the wrong job." the Home Minister told Marwah when he talked about laws. It is hoped that Advani will come to the rescue of innocent people when they are victimized by the enforcers of this new "draconian" law."
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)
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