Moily panel for enacting new anti-terror laws

NEW DELHI: In sharp contrast to the Centre's stand, a key government-appointed panel on Tuesday felt that existing laws were not enough to deal with terrorism and recommended a comprehensive anti-terrorist legislation.

"A comprehensive and effective legal framework to deal with all aspects of terrorism needs to be enacted," the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) said in its eighth report on 'Combating Terrorism'.

Releasing the 185-page report at a press conference, Commission's Chairman M Veerappa Moily felt that present laws were not enough to tackle the menace and said the law should have adequate safeguards to prevent its misuse.

The government has been of the view that the existing laws were adequate to deal with terrorism and crimes having inter-state links.

He said a legal provision to deal with terrorism could be incorporated in a separate chapter in the National Security Act, 1980.

The Commission also suggested that no person accused of an offence punishable under NSA should be released on bail.

He refuted the opposition's charge that the UPA government was soft on terror and said the demand by BJP-ruled states of Rajasthan and Gujarat for a Maharashtra-type anti- terror law would not be an answer.

On the saffron party's demand for POTA-like law, he said it was not a comprehensive measure and could be misused.



Suggesting a federal agency to investigate terrorist offences, the report said that a specialised division should be created in the CBI to go deal terror cases.

The Commission also recommended that special fast track courts should be set up exclusive for trial of terrorism-related cases.

Measures should also be taken to block flow of funds for financing terrorist activities, it added.