Toughening the law  India Today Bureau  January 9, 2009 |
UPDATED 15:11 IST  Mumbai attacker Ajmal Amir Kasab at the CS
Terminus Mumbai attacker Ajmal Amir Kasab at the CS Terminus The
UPA government dithered over strenthening the law dealing with
terrorists but after the Mumbai attacks it swiftly readdressed
some of the anomalies. Parliament has passed the National
Investigation Agency Bill 2008 and amended the Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) with a broad unanimity. The
amendments may put some breeze on the back of law enforcement
agencies but we still lack a comprehensive legal framework to
defend against, prevent and punish terrorism. Our laws still, it
seems, are a step behind the terrorists’ parade.  The two acts
have many common provisions as the Prevention of Terrorism
Activities Act (POTA) which was repealed in 2004. Like the POTA,
the new laws ensures that the terror suspects can be held
without charges for up to 180 days and police custody can be
stretched up to 30 days.  But at the same