Empowering the anti-terror agency with more powers, LS passes NIA Amendment Bill

New Delhi, July 15: With intensified discussion over the National Investigation (Amendment Bill) 2019, Lok Sabha finally gave an approving nod empowering the central anti-terror agency to investigation offences committed outside India as well as mandates the setting up of special courts for such cases. Refuting the uproar created by the opposition claiming that the bill is a ‘misuse’ of the NIA law.

 

Standing up in clearing the misleading claims, Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the government will not misuse it on the basis of religion but ensure that terrorism is finished off irrespective of the religion of the accused. Pitching for the Bill in Lok Sabha, Amit Shah urged members of opposition parties to remain united in passing the same.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, the Home Minister said that rationale behind the bill was to ensure speedy trial in terror-related cases. He further called for voting on the bill, saying it would classify as to who stood against terrorism and who stood for it. “Terrorism is neither right wing nor left wing, terrorism is terrorism. This is a BJP government and it works as per the provisions of law,” said the Home Minister.

 

Shah also targeted the Congress party, accusing the previous UPA government of repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) for political gains. He said that Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) was a tool which saved the country from terrorism. POTA ensured the safety and security of the border of the country. It instilled fear in the hearts of terrorists. It ensured the terrorists were lodged in jails and even hanged until death. Adding further he said, “It was repealed by the UPA government in 2004. We believe that it was a political move, but we have no objection to it. But Parliament should not be used for politics. They alleged that POTA was misused.”

Later, Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said that “it is the duty of the government to fight terrorism” and hence passing the bill was imperative for the country. Parliament also witnessed verbal dual between Shah and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi when Satya Pal Singh of the BJP alleged that TADA and POTA were used unfairly by the previous governments.