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Thursday, Nov 13, 2008
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Centre seeks reports from States on communal violence

Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI: In what may be seen as the groundwork for imposing a ban on Sangh Parivar outfits, including the Bajrang Dal, the Centre on Wednesday sought reports from all State governments on recent incidents of communal violence and the organisations suspected to be involved in them.

In a two-page letter sent to the State governments and Union Territories, the Union Home Ministry has asked them to furnish reports on action they had taken against such organisations and individuals.

Sources in the Ministry said that the communication was sent to the State governments after a vociferous demand was made by allies of the United Progressive Alliance during a meeting of the Union Cabinet to ban organisations such as the Bajrang Dal allegedly involved in violence, arson and loot in Kandhamal district in Orissa.

Though no deadline has been prescribed by the Home Ministry, informed sources said that the State governments could send their reports within a week or so.

The Centre can impose a ban on organisations such as the Bajrang Dal under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act but its validity has to be determined by a tribunal within six months of the ban order.

Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed, who is also the Union Minister of State for Home, said the harsh anti-terror law of Gujarat (GUJCOCA), awaiting clearance of the Centre, should be sent back to the State government for eliciting its fresh comments, particularly in the wake of alleged involvement of the Sangh Parivar outfits in recent incidents of blasts.

Ban re-imposed

In another development, the Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday approved re-imposition of the ban on three north-eastern extremist organisations – the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), and the Meghalaya-based Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).

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