Government moves twin Bills aimed at tackling terror

16 December 2008

New Delhi: With the Mumbai terror attacks still fresh in people's memories the UPA government has moved quickly enough to put stiffer laws in place to battle terror related crimes and incidents. Today it introduced two Bills in the parliament, of which one is aimed at setting up a federal force, the National Investigating Agency (NIA) which will be armed with special powers, and another to amend existing law and enact more stringent provisions in order to deal with terrorism effectively.

On Monday the Union Cabinet had approved a proposal to amend the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 and to set up a National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The National Investigating Agency Bill 2008 and The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill were moved in the Lok Sabha by Home minister P Chidambaram.

The NIA Bill provides for setting up of special courts for speedy trial of terror-related offences, with hearings to be held on day-to-day basis. Any case pending in any special court can be transferred to any other special court.

It also empowers the newly formed agency with special powers that will allow officers of the NIA above the rank of sub inspector to have special powers to pursue and investigate any offence related to terror across the country, notwithstanding the fact that law and order is deemed to be a state subject.

Officers of the new agency would enjoy all powers, duties, privileges and liabilities which the local police officers have in connection with cases related to terror.