Coimbatore, Oct 28: Union Minister and MDMK treasurer M Kannappan today reiterated his party's demand for the total withdrawal of Pota, saying that it was unclear how far the statutory powers conferred on the review committees would be effective to protect the fundamental freedom of a citizen. Asked for his reaction to the ordinance conferring statutory powers to the committee, Kannappan told reporters here that detenus would experience delays in approaching the committee for seeking justice.


Since a timeframe had not been fixed, he expressed apprehension that innocent Pota detenues could approach the committee only after remaining in prisons for a certain period.

"Justice delayed is justice denied," Kannappan said, adding that he would have to go through the details of the ordinance before commenting on it.
Pointing out that the law and order situation in 15 states and six union territories, which had not used Pota, was totally under control, Kannappan said that 300 cases had so far been booked under Pota in other states, including Tamil Nadu, and nearly 1600 persons imprisoned.

The act was 'misused' in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh to wreck political vengeance, he alleged.

On Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalilthaa's opposition to the ordinance, Kannappan demanded to know the need for Pota at present when she claimed that subversive activities had been contained during her earlier rule between 1991 and 1996.

MDMK would extend moral support but not participate in the December 1 agitation by the DMK in Tamil Nadu, demanding repeal of Pota, he said.

Bureau Report