Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Guwahati, January 10 2009:
THE ASSAM Legislative Assembly on Saturday unanimously passed the anti-terror legislation, Assam Preventive Detention (amendment) bill 2009. The state government has assured that there will be no misuse of the legislation.
The bill will now go for Presidential's assent.
The legislation has enhanced the maximum detention period from six months to two years.
Amendment has been made in section 13 of the parent act, Assam preventative detention act 1980 .
Earlier Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) legislator, AR Majar Bhuyan brought amendment in the bill stating that six month detention is good enough.
There is no need to increase the detention period.
However, after getting assurance from the government he withdrew his proposed amendment to the bill.
However, Assam forest minister, Rockybull Hussain moved the motion for consideration of the bill on behalf of Assam chief minister, Tarun Gogoi argued that the security forces catch the insurgents with lot of hardship but they take bail and than continue with insurgent activities.
He explained that two month detention will help police in gathering evidence against the person arrested.
"There are enough safeguards in the bill.
A person can always appeal to government against the detention.
The bill has the provision for advisory board.
In Meghalaya the detention period is three years.
Members of the house are unanimous that we need to fight terror and we need stringent laws," he said.
Asom Gana Parishad legislators Keshav Mahanta said, "Government must assure the house that there will be no misuse of the act.
Similar were the sentiments of Mission Ranjan Das of BJP.
According to section 2 of the parent act, "The state government or any officer of the state government not below the rank of a secretary to the state government or a district magistrate may, if satisfied with respect to any person that with a view to preventing him acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the state, the maintenance of public order or the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community, it is necessary so do to, make an order directing that such person be detained," the section stated.