LS OK’s Bill to give more teeth to NIA

| | New Delhi
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LS OK’s Bill to give more teeth to NIA

Tuesday, 16 July 2019 | PNS | New Delhi

Agency powered to probe terror attacks on Indians abroad

After a heated debate, the Lok Sabha on Monday passed the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which allows the NIA to probe terror attacks on Indians and Indian interests abroad.

Refuting Opposition’s claims of “misuse” of the NIA law, Home Minister Amit Shah  asserted that the Modi Government will never abuse it to target anyone but will ensure that terrorism is finished off irrespective of the religion of the accused.

Replying to the queries of Opposition MPs on Pakistan’s reluctance to sign the SAARC agreement to co-operate in cases on terrorism and relevance of amendment to the NIA law, Shah told the Lok Sabha that India has several means, including surgical and airstrikes, to deal with Pakistan. 

“I am sure that Pakistan would also have to sign that agreement under international pressure,” he said.

Defending the Bill, the Government refuted Opposition’s allegations of “misuse” of the NIA law to target members of a community, and stressed that people have given the mandate to the Government to protect the country from terrorism. Opposition MPs accused the anti-terror law is misused at times to target members of a particular community.

Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said the Government is committed to protect the country from terrorism.

Shah also targeted the Congress-led UPA Government for repealing the anti-terror act POTA, saying it was not done because of its alleged misuse but to “save its vote bank”.

He said terror attacks witnessed an upsurge after the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) was repealed resulting in the same UPA Government being forced to constitute the NIA after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The House witnessed a spat between the Home Minister and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, with the BJP chief asserting that he is not frightening anyone but cannot help when someone has fear in their minds. The verbal duel between the two leaders started during a discussion on the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, when Opposition members including Owaisi started interrupting BJP’s Satyapal Singh.

Singh alleged that the then Hyderabad Police Commissioner was asked by a political leader of the State to change the course of investigation in a particular case else he could be transferred out. He said he is aware of the development as at that time he was Mumbai Police Commissioner.               

Objecting to his claim, Owaisi, a MP from Hyderabad, demanded that Singh should place on table of the House all records related to his claim.

On this, Shah got up from his seat and said treasury members did not disturb Opposition members during their speeches so they should also do the same. Pointing out at Owaisi, Shah said Opposition members should have the patience to listen to others point of view. Owaisi got agitated and asked Shah to not point a finger at him and said he cannot be frightened.

In response, Shah said he is not trying to frighten him and just saying that Opposition members should have patience to listen to the counter view. “When you have fear in your mind then what can I do,” he hit back.

Later Owaisi sought division of votes when the Bill came up for passage. Shah shot back that division should be taken up to show “who all are for or against terrorism”. While 278 members supported its consideration, only six opposed it. The Bill was later passed by a voice vote.

During the debate, Manish Tewari (Congress) accused the Government of trying to turn India into a “police state”. However, Minister Reddy told the House, “We want to fight terrorism with zero tolerance and have brought this Bill in national interest. I pray to all of you for its passage.” Danish Ali (BSP) too alleged that through this Bill the Government is in a hurry to convert this state into “police state”.

Supriya Sule (NCP) said the Government should not make the issue of dealing with terrorist into a political one and sought to know what concrete plan it has to bring wanted terrorists back to India. Ravneet Singh (Congress) said courts should decide on the cases investigated by NIA within three months.

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