NEW DELHI: Indian parliament on April 28 passed an amendment to the discredited Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act extending its life for two more years. The law was enacted for the first time in 1985 for one year only. It gives sweeping powers to the Indian security forces for action against minority communities and others and has been condemned worldwide as a lawless law, the parliament however re in forced some of its provisions further as if to tease critics. C.P, (M) which originally had supported the law walked out protesting against its alleged misuse.
The official government line is that, the provisions of the Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill 1993, is being tightened and enlarged to combat the spreading terrorism in the country more effectively.
“Terrorism”, initially confined to Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and the North East has spread to Utar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal.
Apart from this, sophisticated weapons, remote control devices, rocket launchers, professional training and international involvement has added new dimensions,
An Amending Bill is being brought before the current session of Parliament.
The menace of terrorism has also been a matter of international tension, according to a statement of objects and reasons of the proposed Amending Bill.
This act is also particularly useful in dealing with terrorism in spired from abroad. In the light of an agreement signed with United Kingdom for mutual assistance in the investigation and prosecution of terrorist crime.
Unfortunately, terrorist violence has continued unabated, forcing the Government to periodically extend the Act in 1987, 1989 and against in 1991.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 30, 1993
