The government on Wednesday has warned of “strict and prompt” action against erring police officers for mala fide arrest of any member from a minority community. Giving details of a letter written by the Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on September 30, 2013 to all chief ministers, Minister of State for Home R.P.N. Singh said in the Rajya Sabha that Mr. Shinde had urged all law enforcement agencies to be sensitised to communal harmony while ensuring zero tolerance for terrorism by any person or group, irrespective of their community.
“In cases of mala fide arrest of any member of a minority community by law enforcement agencies, strict and prompt action should be taken against erring police officers,” the letter said.
The Home Minister told chief ministers that wrongfully arrested persons should not only be released forthwith, but should be suitably compensated and rehabilitated to join the mainstream in order to lead a normal life of dignity. The Chief Ministers have been told to set up special courts in consultation with the concerned high courts for trial of terror-related cases on a day-to-day basis. Special public prosecutors should be appointed for trial of terror cases and these cases should take precedence over other cases of pending trial before such special courts.
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“The government of India is committed to its core principle of combating terrorism, in every form and manifestation. No ground, real or imaginary, can justify an act of terror. Terrorism does not have any colour or religion. The government does not discriminate against any caste or religion and everybody is equal before the law,” Mr.Singh said.