TDP welcomes ordinance

By Our Staff Reporter

SRIKAKULAM, NOV. 6. The Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party leader, Mr. Yerran Naidu, has welcomed the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) to combat terrorism and cross-border terrorism.

Addressing mediapersons, Mr. Naidu said over 50,000 families were affected by terrorist attacks and though there were laws to deal with terrorism, insurgency, mafia and naxalism, special provisions were required to effectively fight them.

He said the Opposition parties which were taking exception to the POTO, should seek plugging of loopholes, if any, and ask for a comprehensive law instead of totally opposing it. He said earlier the MISA and the TADA were brought in by the same parties.

On why the Government was intent on pushing the bill when it had no requisite numbers in the Rajya Sabha, he said the discussion in Parliament might lead to a consensus and support. ``On the other hand, if by such an opposition the bill was not passed and terrorism grew into a bigger challenge, who would be responsible,'' he asked.

Asked why the TDP which had opposed the TADA Act was supporting the POTO, he said the ordinance was more relevant now than the TADA Act. During the discussion in Parliament the TDP would suggest amendments to the ordinance if it contained any provisions that infringed upon fundamental rights.

Mr. Naidu also extended support to the proposed changes with regard to election to the Rajya Sabha stating that the open ballot would end the role of money power and cross- voting. He said there was a difference between adult franchise and representatives elected on party basis participating in the Rajya Sabha poll and in the latter there was no need for secrecy.

On changing the domicile provision, Mr. Naidu said instead of viewing it from representation to a particular State, members of the Upper House should be seen as eminent persons representing the entire country.

`No going back'

PTI reports from Vijayawada:

The Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu, today asserted that under no circumstances would the government go back on POTO.

The Minister, who was on his way to Guntur to attend a seminar, told reporters here that the ordinance was being enacted under special circumstances to check the activities of terrorists, naxalites and other anti-social elements in the country.

``The hue and cry raised by the certain sections of people and the Congress was not justified,'' he said adding the ordinance was meant to fight cross-border terrorism and would not be used against the common people and journalists.

The Minister urged the journalists to comprehend the situation and extend their support to fight terrorism in the country.

Mr. Naidu said the Congress, which had enacted the TADA Act and MISA during its regime, had no moral right to criticise the NDA Government on POTO.

``People get desperate when they are not able to receive letters from their relatives due to anthrax fear. Under such circumstances, the Government was forced to bring out the ordinance,'' he added.

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