Govt rules out re-imposition of POTA

New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) The UPA government today ruled out re-imposition of a Prevention of Terrorist Activities (POTA)-like law to curb terrorist activities, saying that the ''draconian legislation'' had failed to serve the purpose for which it was enacted and was ''widely misused against a minority community.'' Intervening during an adjournment motion on internal security moved by Leader of the Opposition L K Advani, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi ruled out bringing in such a law, saying it had little impact on improving internal security as terrorism continued unabted and was used by the NDA government to create fear psychosis among a minority community.

Giving an instance with regard to its misuse, he said it found its worst form in Gujarat where about 5,000 people were arrested from among the minority community.

Noting that the POTA Ordinance was in force when Parliament was attacked, he said that even when the Act was in operation, terrorist attacks took place in various parts of the country.

''The approach of the BJP, and Mr Advani in particular, was to fragment society, which weakens internal security, rather than strengthening it,'' Mr Dasmunsi noted, that on the other hand, the UPA government follows a contrary approach -- that of taking all sections of society into confidence. ''This was based on the understanding that the war against terrorism cannot be fought by the para-military forces and army alone, it is the people who have to support the fight of the official machinery.'' During the course of his speech, Mr Dasmunsi took, several times, a dig at Mr Advani to deliver the message that he was out to make political capital even though he was then Home Minister, whose chief responsibility was to maintain internal security.

Charging that Mr Advani's 'Sankalp Yatra' was not a resolve for taking the people along for the fight against terrorism, but aimed seeing to it that Afzal was hanged, he said Mr Advani knew very well that both the Parliament and the government have no role in this regard and the comptent jurisdication was with the Supreme Court and the power of pardon with the President.

The Minister stressed that the Kargil war was a result of intelligence failure and said his government was determined not to allow anyone to divide society.

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