SP demands Guv intervention in UPCOCA

Lucknow, Mar 11 (UNI) Opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) demanded Uttar Pradesh Governor T V Rajeswar's intervention in the UP Control Of Organised Crime Act (UPCOCA), saying it was against the Constitution.

A SP delegation led by party working state president Shivpal Singh Yadav met Mr Rajeswar and handed over a memorandum, alleging ''UPCOCA was a threat to the Constitution.'' The memorandum alleged that the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government in the state did not believe in the Constitution and it was also visible in the 18-day budget session of the UP assembly.

The UPCOCA had been designed on lines of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999, giving additional powers to the state to curb organised crime.

While introducing the bill on October 31, 2007, Chief Minister Mayawati had said the proposed legislation would primarily deal with contract killers, abductors, gun totting contractors, hawala traders, enemies of economic structure, fake drug traffickers and liquor mafias.

It was passed on November 5 by a voice vote. However, in the Legislative Council, where the ruling BSP has been in minority, the bill could not be passed due to the strong opposition from SP. It was sent to the Legislative Council's select committee for consideration on November 6.

As per the rule, UPCOCA bill was again tabled in the 18-day budget session of the assembly.

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