No need of POTA, strengthen existing laws: Centre

Announcing a slew of measures to be taken to strengthen the security system in the country, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priyaranjan Dasmunshi told existing laws of the land was enough to tackle terrorism-related cases and there was no need to specialised terror law or to revive Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), which is draconian in nature. However, he admitted there was need to strengthen the existing laws.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Dasmunshi along with Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said, which was in contradiction to the Chairman of Administrative Reform Commission, M Veerappa Moily's recommendation of stringent laws to tackling terrorism, the present law was enough to deal with terrorism, however, said if necessary, special provisions could be added.

The Home Secretary elaborated a number of measures would be taken as per the suggestions given by Home Ministry and accepted by Cabinet last night.

In order to strengthen the Intelligence system a dedicated Research and Analysis wing in the areas of technologies in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been approved.

Besides the central intelligence agency, special branches of state governments will also have close eye on anti-human activities. For this, special additional central help will be provided in terms of surveillance equipment and for vigilance purposes.

To tackle newly emerging “metro terrorism” specific measures will be taken to enhance security system in metro cities including national capital. In Delhi, an additional 6,172 posts and 130 vehicles have been approved for Delhi Police. Eleven more police stations will be set up and CCTV cameras will be installed at 58 more market places and at 27 border posts in Delhi. So far, the capital has only 9 such cameras.

Earlier on Wednesday night's emergency cabinet meeting headed by the Prime Minister agreed that there was no need at present to create a new portfolio for the Minister of Internal Security. Instead they were unanimous on strengthening and streamlining the intelligence apparatus, better coordination between the Centre and the States, and influx of funds to modernise the police forces.

On the implementation of new stringent anti-terror laws there were though division of views but eventually the cabinet decided to strengthen the existing laws to tackle terrorism instead of imposing tough anti-terror law.