UAPA will not be misused in West Bengal: Bhattacharjee

Kolkata, July 9 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Budhadeb Bhattacharjee announced today in the West Bengal state assembly that his government would see to it that the Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA) is not be misused.

Replying to a question Bhattacharjee said provisions in the Act were tough and those having links with Maoists or indulging in propaganda might be arrested.

To prevent the misuse of the UAPA, the state government has decided that, police will arrest suspects under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and a high level committee headed by the state Home Secretary will take a decision on who would be booked under the UAPA, Bhattacharjee said.

Bhattacharjee also alleged that the Maoists had links with the Trinamool Congress and were active in Nandigram and Khejuri. He appealed to all political parties to avoid association with the Maoists.

He informed that 39 persons had been arrested in which 30 were from West Midnapore, five in Bankura and four in Purulia.

Bhattacharjee announced the government's decision to create a special cell in the state Intelligence Branch and Crime Investigation Department to counter the Maoists. (ANI)