SIMI faces 179 cases in states

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) As many as 179 cases have been registered against the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in various states, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

The cases were under various provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code, Explosive Substances Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act, Arms Act, Essential Services Act, etc.

These cases were at different stages of trial in the courts, Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said, in reply to written questions.

He said the activities of SIMI had been under constant watch of law enforcement agencies.

Replying to another question on police modernisation, Mr Jaiswal said a total of Rs 1,065.25 crore had been released during 2006-07 under the Modernization of State Police Forces (MPF) Scheme.

This, he said, included release of an additional amount of Rs 100 crore for purchase of equipment for fighting naxalism against the proposals received from the State Governments of Andhra Pradesh (Rs 15 crore), Bihar (Rs 15 crore), Chhattisgarh (Rs 24.75 crore), Jharkhand (Rs 15 crore), Maharashtra (Rs 6.75 crore), Orissa (Rs 15 crore) and West Bengal (Rs 8.50 crore).

Under the MPF Scheme, the States have been categorised into "A" and "B" Categories with 100 per cent and 75 per cent Central funding respectively.

Jammu and Kashmir and seven North Eastern States--Arunachal Pradesh, Asom, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura--have been classified as "A" category states in view of problems of insurgency, militancy and terrorism.

UNI