Congress Urges Gujarat Governor Not To Approve Controversial Anti-Terror Bill

07 April, Ahemadabad

Gujarat Congress has appealed to the Governor not to approve controversial anti terror bill Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organized Crime- GUJCOTOC recently passed by the state Assembly.

State Congress delegation led by the President of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee Bharatsinh Solanki and leader of Congress legislative party Shankersinh Vaghela presented a memorandum to the Governor at Raj Bhawan Monday.

Congress in its memorandum said that the bill proposes telephone intercept power to police which violates the fundamental rights of citizen and also violated Indian Telegraph Act. Congress also objected section 16 of the bill which considers statement before police, not below the rank of SP valid as evidence.

Congress delegation argued that after repealing POTA, the Government of India had introduced Unlawful Activity Amendment Act-2004 which is enough to fight against terrorism.

According to memorandum when MACOCA was implemented in Maharashtra, Unlawful Activities Prevention Amendment Act-2004 was not in existence, and therefore comparison between GUJCOC and MACOCA is improper.

Congress has alleged that present government has added the ‘terrorism’ word to earlier GUJCOC bill which was returned by the president for three times for reconsideration of its some provisions.