Chennai, June 05: Terming anti-terrorism legislation Pota as a "jungle law", CPI-M leader Somnath Chatterjee today demanded its immediate repeal alleging it was being misused and deprived people of their fundamental rights. Inaugurating an anti-Pota conference, organised by the Tamil Nadu unit of CPI-M, he said the law had failed "miserably" and had been misused by several state governments against political opponents.

The arrest of MDMK leader Vaiko under Pota was a clear case of 'misuse' of the act, Chatterjee said.

This was much against assurances given by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Law Minister Arun Jaitley in parliament that safeguards in the Act would prevent its misuse, the CPI-M leader said.

He said the laws of the land were enough to take care of terrorists and there was no need for such a "draconian law in a civilised society."

Chatterjee said when he raised Vaiko issue in parliament, the Government did not give any "responsible" reply, leading to an opposition walkout.

"Prime Minister A B Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani are unable to do anything on the matter as they want votes of AIADMK MPs in parliament", he said.

Bureau Report