LUDHIANA, India: The Punjab Government has conferred sweeping powers on District Magistrates under antiterrorist Activities Act to combat violence. The State Government has already declared that entire Amritsar district and sixteen subdivisions of other districts as disturbed areas under the Act.
According to authorities sources the district magistrates have been empowered to call in the army in case of any emergency to maintain law and order. Army units have been put on alert and they will be at the call of district magistrates, the army authorities will not have to seek clearance from the Defence Minister for ‘moving out the barracks under the new directions. Army units have been asked to respond to the request of district magistrates without delay.
The district magistrates have been further empowered to confiscate the properties of that permitting terrorism. They include financiers of violence and those providing them with shelter. Such Persons are also be hauled up under the Anti-terrorist Act. The Persons hauled up for charges harbouring freedom fighters and promoting their activities can be denied for a period of two years as the accused persons will have to prove their innocence.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 19, 1986
