M A I N   N E W S

Naidu for amending POTA
Defends Modi on Best Bakery case

New Delhi, October 1
Faced with continuing criticism on the misuse of POTA, BJP President M Venkaiah Naidu today strongly favoured amendment to the law for introducing sufficient safeguards, ruling out its outright repeal in view of the prevailing security scenario in the country.

He lashed out at the political parties for singling out the Gujarat Chief Minister for his failure to properly investigate the Best Bakery case. “Changes should be effected in POTA to create sufficient safeguards against its misuse. But there is a need for the Act to continue, considering the security scenario in the country,” Mr Naidu told media in a calculated damage-control exercise.

Responding to queries about demands from NDA partners that the misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act be immediately stopped, he said the amendments should be effected in such a manner that the provisions were binding on the state governments.

“We have suggested to the government that the recommendations of the review committee be accepted in toto without disturbing the basic provisions of the Act,” Mr Naidu said The review committee, headed by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, has held several meetings and is expected to submit its report to the Prime Minister shortly. “The changes to be introduced should be carefully considered by the Centre because if its abuse continues, the sanctity of the Act will be affected.”

Mr Naidu said he had met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee yesterday and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today to discuss the BJP view on the changes required in POTA. He had also held a meeting with Law Minister Arun Jaitley.

The issue of misuse of POTA had been raised by Minister of State M Kannappan after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa threatened to slap a POTA case against him for supporting the LTTE.

Earlier, AIADMK government had arrested MDMK chief Vaiko under POTA.

Lashing out at political parties for trying to single out Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on his failure to properly investigate the Best Bakery case, as there had been similar instances in other states as well, Mr Naidu said. “There are certain loopholes in the criminal justice system. If we want to improve the situation, amendments need to be brought into the system.”