Arming itself with tougher anti-terror laws and establishing an efficient mechanism to probe terror-related crimes, the Union Cabinet on Monday approved a proposal to amend the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 and also assented to the setting up of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
At its meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Cabinet also gave the assent to a proposal required to amend the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Act. After the meeting, the government issued a brief press note which said relevant Bills would soon be introduced in Parliament.
Hinting at the new measures on Saturday, Union Law Minister Hansraj Bhardwaj had said the legislation would be drafted after clearance from the Cabinet.
“We will try to balance the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution with reasonable restrictions,” he was quoted as saying.
Having taken over the Home Ministry in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks, P. Chidambaram held parleys with Leader of the Opposition and former Home Minister LK Advani on the proposed anti-terror law and a central agency to probe such crimes.
Reports suggest the Home Ministry held similar discussions with other political parties as well. The BJP indicated that it was ready to support the creation of the NIA but not unless it was accompanied by a new anti-terror law.
The Congress led UPA had earlier repealed POTA, enforced by the NDA government, following reports and allegations of misuse of the preventive provision.
The Centre has been under fire for refusing to relent with a tougher anti-terror law despite repeated bombings and terror attacks, the opposition parties upped the demand in the days following 26/11.
Media reports attributing the information to ‘well placed sources’ say that a minor amendment to the National Security Act could be introduced to enlarge its scope to include terror-related crimes.
Amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are expected to include provisions to set up special courts with stringent provisions for bail, shifting the onus of proof to the accused and a time-bound trial on a day-to-day basis which should be conducted and completed by the same judge.
They add that amendment to the CISF Act had become necessary to extend security cover to vital installations, including oil refineries and airports.
The Bills are likely to be introduced in the next few days.
At its meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Cabinet also gave the assent to a proposal required to amend the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Act. After the meeting, the government issued a brief press note which said relevant Bills would soon be introduced in Parliament.
Hinting at the new measures on Saturday, Union Law Minister Hansraj Bhardwaj had said the legislation would be drafted after clearance from the Cabinet.
“We will try to balance the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution with reasonable restrictions,” he was quoted as saying.
Having taken over the Home Ministry in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks, P. Chidambaram held parleys with Leader of the Opposition and former Home Minister LK Advani on the proposed anti-terror law and a central agency to probe such crimes.
Reports suggest the Home Ministry held similar discussions with other political parties as well. The BJP indicated that it was ready to support the creation of the NIA but not unless it was accompanied by a new anti-terror law.
The Congress led UPA had earlier repealed POTA, enforced by the NDA government, following reports and allegations of misuse of the preventive provision.
The Centre has been under fire for refusing to relent with a tougher anti-terror law despite repeated bombings and terror attacks, the opposition parties upped the demand in the days following 26/11.
Media reports attributing the information to ‘well placed sources’ say that a minor amendment to the National Security Act could be introduced to enlarge its scope to include terror-related crimes.
Amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are expected to include provisions to set up special courts with stringent provisions for bail, shifting the onus of proof to the accused and a time-bound trial on a day-to-day basis which should be conducted and completed by the same judge.
They add that amendment to the CISF Act had become necessary to extend security cover to vital installations, including oil refineries and airports.
The Bills are likely to be introduced in the next few days.
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