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Pota a jungle law: CPI-M leader Somnath Chatterjee
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.
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
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