Poto Under Fire (November 22)

Contrary to the smug stand adopted by Union Home Minister Lk Advani that the NDA Government is in a win situation over POTO, the Government appears to have been pushed to the wall. Apart from the Congress and left parties which have already made their opposition to the Ordinances clear right from the start, the National Human Rights commission has reiterated its firm stand against POTO. 

The NHRC noted that there are enough anti-terrorism laws to effectively deal with terrorism and questioned the wisdom and practically of introducing a new harsh laws. The commission also observed that both National integrity as well as individual dignity are core values in the Constitution and are compatible and not inconsistent. 

From the observation of the rights commission, it is clear that what everyone is apprehensive about is how far the Ordinance will be able to check terrorist activities without trampling upon the rights of the civil population. Given the fact that there are a plethora of laws to deal with terrorism, the operative word here is "effective". 

That POTO is a harsh law needs no argument and hence the question whether the country really needs such harsh law to effectively deal with terrorism. It is doubtful whether the existence of such harsh laws will be able to effectively deal with terrorism.

Memories of the External Affairs Minister escorting three known terrorists including the infamous Maulana Massod Azhar to Kandahar to bargain for the safe release of the hijacked Indian Airplane is still fresh in the minds of the people. And it was Azhar's group; the Harkut-ul-Mujahideen that was responsible for the ghastly terrorist attack on the Jammu and Kashmir assembly complex while the US war against terrorism in Afghanistan was on in full swing.

Atal Behari Vajpayee and LK Advani may have sincere objectives of tackling terrorism firmly but the lingering question of whether POTO will be able to effectively tackle terrorism cannot be simply wished away. Without political willingness no number of harsh laws will be able to curb the activities of terrorist and India in the past had demonstrated that it is not ready to deal terrorism with an iron hand, notwithstanding the sobriquet of Iron Man given to Home Minister LK Advani. 

Moreover the timing of NDA Government's decision in bringing out POTO cannot be above board. India has been at the receiving end of cross border terrorism for long ever since Kashmir went up in flames many winters back. Thus the question of  why wasn't POTO introduced before arises. That it took the September 11 strikes at Washington and New York to jolt and awaken the senses of the Government attitude to tackling terrorism. 

Whatever explanations, Arun Shourie and the leadership is bereft of political willingness and far sightedness to effectively deal with terrorism. Enacting harsh laws will not curb or check terrorism. Instead it will merely lead to the alienation of the people particularly the North-East people.

(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)

Back to Top