The Hindu : Walkout in RS over `misuse' of POTA

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 20, 2003

National

National

Walkout in RS over `misuse' of POTA

By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi Feb. 19. Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha today staged a walkout during question hour expressing dissatisfaction over the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani's remarks that there was nothing on record to show misuse of Prevention of Terrorism Act in Uttar Pradesh. Their charge was that Mr. Advani had not kept the assurance given to the joint House at the time of passing the Bill that POTA would not be misused.

The issue raised sparks right from the beginning when Abrar Ahmed (Cong.) questioned the Government on what it intended to do about "misuse" of POTA in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The Union Minister of State for Home, I.D. Swami, said those arrested under POTA in U.P. had been presented before a designated court and had been given one month's judicial remand. Implementation of POTA was the responsibility of State Governments as it was a law and order issue.

Immediately, several Opposition members were on their feet protesting his reply. Suresh Pachauri (Cong.) wanted to know whether Praveen Togadia of the VHP, who was openly giving statements that spread scare, was not a fit case for action under POTA? Janeshwar Mishra (SP) asked if the U.P. Government had not misused POTA by arresting an MLA who had declared that he would upstage the Chief Minister? Mr. Swami said there was no finding or stricture from any court regarding the "misuse" of POTA.

Charging the Government with "evading answer on a serious question'', the Leader of Opposition, Manmohan Singh, said: "this is hardly the way to treat the House''.

Mr. Advani then rose to say that as far as Centre was concerned it had not "misused" POTA. The responsibilities of the Centre and the States on law and order were different. "So far as U.P. is concerned there is nothing on record to say that POTA has been misused. Let the court decide.'' This triggered another round of angry protests from Opposition benches, which saw Mr. Advani as heard saying, "They won't listen. It is a political issue.'' Accusing Mr. Advani of taking cover under "technicalities'', the senior Congress leader, Pranab Mukherjee, said that he owned an explanation to the House. When the Chairman, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, ruled that the matter was in court and could not be discussed, the Congress led the walkout by the Left parties, the SP and the RJD.

Illegal Bangladeshis

Earlier replying to supplementaries during question hour on identification of illegal Bangladeshis staying in India, Mr. Advani said the estimates were "awful and frightening'' and assured the House that the Government would take all steps to deport them back. He said the special drive to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi was endorsed at the Chief Ministers' Conference in January. A special drive had been initiated in 13 States.

Nilotpal Basu (CPI-M) demanded to know by when the Government would come out with firm figures. Alleging that in the absence of firm figures, a scare campaign had been launched, he said genuine citizens should not be harassed. Mr. Advani said no time-frame could be given for identification or for providing them with identity cards as the Centre had to rely on figures provided by State Governments.

The RJD leader, Laloo Prasad Yadav, accused the Government of identifying overstaying Pakistanis and Bangladeshi at elections time. He demanded to know whether there was a policy on giving refuge to Bangladeshis.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National