Centre rejects Gujarat's demand for MCOCA-like law

New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) The government today outrightly rejected the Gujarat government's demand for enacting an anti-terror law on the the lines of the Maharashtra government's MCOCA, saying the existing laws were adequate to effectively deal with terrorists.

Replying to a query from a member in the Rajya Sabha, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the Gujarat government had demanded that it be allowed to put in place a law similar to the Maharashtra Criminals Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

''If any state government goes ahead with this kind of law, the Central government will not allow it,'' he said.

In support of his contention, the minister pointed out that terrorist attacks had taken place despite the existence of laws like POTA and TADA.

Instead, the existing laws were adequate to deal with any contingency, he asserted.

Replying to another query, Mr Patil said the Centre did not have any problem in ordering a CBI inquiry into the recent Malegaon blasts.

''However, such a request normally comes from the state government or a legal court gives a directive for it,'' he said.

Mr Patil said he had already talked to Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and the government was looking into the matter.

UNI SKS vD GC1727