The Government on Tuesday initiated debate on the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 envisaging strengthening of National Investigation Agency (NIA) and empowering of its chief to seize the properties related to the probe on terrorism. Moving the Bill, MoS Home Kishan Reddy said, “This Government was working against terrorism with zero tolerance.”
The Bill seeks to allow an individual suspected to have terror links to be designated as a ‘terrorist’. In order to put a check on terrorism, he said, “we have given a free hand to the security forces” and added that in the north eastern states in the last five years there has been a decline in the insurgency related incidents. Due to the sustained effort of the government, the minister said, the situation has improved in the left-wing extremism affected states. The Bill amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
He also said the number of terrorist incidents in hinterland during last decade as compared to the previous decade has reduced by 70% from 71 to 21 and the number of terrorist incidents in Jammu & Kashmir has reduced by 86% i.e. 23,290 to 3187.
Under the Act, an investigating officer is required to obtain the prior approval of the Director General of Police to seize properties that may be connected with terrorism. The Bill adds that if the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of such property.
Under the Act, investigation of cases may be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above. The Bill additionally empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases.
Opposing the proposed amendments, Manish Tewari (Congress) said in this country false propaganda is being spread that the law was solution to all the problems. The solution to the problems, he said, was through political initiatives and not strict laws.
Meenakshi Lekhi (BJP) spoke in favour saying the amendment bill is dedicated to the people who have sacrificed their lives defending the sovereignity and integrity of the nation. Moreover, she added, most of the provisions in the amendment bill were of the technical nature and aimed at removing technical glitches. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to reply on Wednesday.