UPOCCA will improve law and order in UP: Mayawati

Lucknow, Oct 31 (UNI) Admitting that the roots of organised crime in Uttar Pradesh had reached a dangerous height, Chief Minister Mayawati today said the proposed Act against organised crime in the state would go a long way towards improving law and order of the state.

The Act to be named as 'Uttar Pradesh Organised Crime Control Act' (UPOCCA) has been aimed at controlling the activities of land mafia, professional criminals, kidnappers, those who were indulged in drug rackets, criminal contractors, she told a press conference here.

The bill to this effect was tabled in the state assembly today.

The bill, when passed, would take shape of an Act needed when the organised crime had adopted a dangerous proposition in the state, Ms Mayawati said.

The Chief Minister said her government was always committed towards better law and order and the proposed legislation would help in controlling crime to a great extent.

Uttar Pradesh government has taken cue from the existing such laws against organised crimes in other states and similar to that of MOACCA of Maharastra where the law had largely been successful.

The Act will have provisions for the state government to set up State Organised Crime Control Authority headed by the State Principal Secretary(Home) with Additional Director General of Police(ADG), Law and Order, ADG, Crime and a Special Secretary of law department as members.

Special courts and appealate courts would be established as per the proposed provisions, Ms Mayawati said, adding for protection against misuse of the law, the Divisional Commissioner and DIG (Range) would be authorised to order FIR under the Act.

Provisions of capital punishment, life term and fine upto Rs ten lakh have been incorporated in the new bill. People harbouring the criminals and giving them protection would also be punished under the new law.

UNI