Imphal, May 15: The Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), came up for discussion on the opening day of the four day capsule training course for investigating officers (ASIs/SIs), which kicked off at the Imphal West district police auditorium today.

Reading out the contents of the Act, IGP (Crime) A Romenkumar said that the Act which was approved by the President of India on March 28 this year allows the security forces to book a person under POTA on suspicion.

A person residing in a notified State like Manipur can also been booked under the Act if even a single bullet is recovered from his possession, he said.

He said the police officers investigating under the Act can intercept electronic messages or direct interaction if the need arises by taking permission from the respective SPs and District Magistrates.

On the enforcing of the Act against under aged persons (juvenile), Romenkumar said such persons will be kept separately and they will be under the care of Juvenile police.

For this the Social Welfare Department has to be discussed, he added.

Stating that the IOs holding cases under the Act should be of the rank of DSP, he said the services of the MR NCOs and Commanders could be used after giving a three months' training as the Police Department faces shortage of DSPs.

The police officer said jail term for a "Scheduled terrorist organization" is 10 years with a fine of Rs 10 lakhs while for persons working in the name of terrorist organizations is 14 years imprisonment and Rs 10 lakh fine.

To a question, the IGP said POTA has been enforced in most of the States of the country.

On the enforcement of the Act in Manipur the police officer said that there are provisions for its extension in the State.

Stating that the IOs need to work closely with the prosecution officials in the event of arrests under the Act, the IGP said the State is more suited to the Maharashtra Crime Control Act.

Experts also gave lectures on matters concerning prosecution, forensic science, FIR etc under the Act during the discussion.

DGP AA Siddiqui who was also present said that the IOs while taking up a case should be very careful and apologetic.

There should be no intimidation of the public while investigating any crime, he said adding the IOs should keep good record of the FIRs and they should make themselves available at the spot of incidents where ever possible.

The IOs should be careful in handling such cases, Siddiqui said adding the assistance of the media could be procured in investigating such cases.

But the same should not be made public, he added.

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