Centre open to changes in anti-terror law, but not to POTA

NEW DELHI: The centre on Monday reiterated its aversion to bringing in a new Pota-type anti-terror law saying that there was already an existing law to deal with terrorism ��� the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. At the same time, it did not rule out suitable amendments to UAPA to keep it in tune with the times and the changing requirements of law enforcement agencies.

Briefing reporters on the outcome of the meeting of the National Integration Council here, home minister Shivraj Patil, however, underlined that amendments could be made to sections of the law as long as they are ���not draconian in nature or against the accepted principles of criminal jurisprudence.���

The changes, he said, could also include a wider definition of terrorism. Also referring to demands of the states for updating the law to allow them more time to collect evidence and investigate the various angles to a terror cases, Mr Patil assured that ���we can do something about it.���

���A law is not static,��� he conceded and agreed that changes must be effected to every law according to time and the requirements of the day. Mr Patil said the states represented at Monday���s NIC meet agreed that though terror should be dealt with firmly, one must avoid identifying any particular community with acts of terror. The resolution adopted at the meeting called upon all political parties, civil society groups and opinion leaders to defeat all attempts at division of society on social, religious and communal lines.

When asked if the demand for a ban on Bajrang Dal or an inquiry into the Jamia incident figured in the NIC discussions, Mr Patil said that some states had raised it. But he chose to be evasive on the Centre���s response, saying that ���the government has already made its views clear...we can look at that for possible necessary action in every other manner.���

In the resolution, NIC meeting expressed concern at the recent incidents of communal violence and terror across the country and resolved to preserve and promote secularism, equality and fraternity amongst all communities.
There was consensus at the meeting on the need for a standing committee-like mechanism to constantly watch over the communal situation in the country and advise the government on how to deal with communal outbreaks from time to time.

This is proposed to be a smaller version of NIC, possibly comprising chief ministers of some key states, central ministers and independent members of the civil society and community leaders.

The prime minister made a reference to the aforesaid proposed mechanism in his closing remarks to the NIC. ���Suggestions have been received to hold more frequent meetings of the NIC and put in place an institutionalised mechanism within the NIC to pursue relevant issues on a continuous basis,��� he said adding that the ���valuable suggestion will be taken up for immediate follow up action.���

The prime minister expressed satisfaction at the consensus in favour of the need to contain communal discord and violence, protect minority rights and ���uphold our cherished ideals of nationalism, secularism, inclusiveness and non-violence.���

���The council has been unanimous in the condemnation of the recent acts of communal strife and discord in some parts of the country. There has also been agreement that terrorism constitutes a major challenge for the cohesiveness of the nation...but targeting of particular communities and their profiling has to be avoided,��� Mr Singh concluded.