State proposes ‘cap’ in MPISA, Oppn parties call it draconian
Even as the Maharashtra government has sought suggestions and objections from people for the proposed Maharashtra Protection of Internal Security Act, the opposition has launched a full attack on the ruling combine of Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena. Congress and Nationalist Congress Party leaders have called the proposed Act draconian and dictatorial.
Maharashtra government has proposed MPISA—an internal security act to tackle the threat of terrorism and communal and caste violence. The government has given three weeks to people to send in their suggestions or raise objections.
Former chief minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan told The Free Press Journal that the Act is highly objectionable. He said, “The Congress Party feels that there will be misuse of this act as it gives too much power to the police force. We are also against terrorism and any wrongdoing, but under the garb of security, the government is trying to take away people’s right to oppose or dissent, including the political parties. Unless the opposition is taken into confidence that the Act will not be misused we are totally against it.”
Addressing the media-persons on Wednesday, KP Bakshi, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), said that the government intends to take people into confidence and has sought their suggestions and objections regarding the proposed Act.
Meanwhile, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the proposed Act will create an Emergency-like situation. “This act is like imposing an emergency in the state. It is done to silently curb the voice of the people and the opposition. BJP and Shiv Sena are making attempting to make Maharashtra a dictatorial state,” Malik said.
Malik added that the state doesn’t need a separate law to tackle internal security as the Indian Penal Code has all the provision to tackle terrorism,
“U nder the garb of security, the government is trying to take away people’s right to oppose or dissent, including the political parties. Unless the opposition is taken into confidence that the Act will not be misused we are totally against it.”
- MPCC chief Ashok Chavan
communal violence, etc. “Apart from that there is also going to be duplicity. They want to create a separate force for the notified areas and naxal areas, but central forces are already deployed there,” Malik pointed out.
According to Bakshi, there will not be any duplicity of agencies. “If you read the draft, you will find that security audit has to be done. Presently, whatever security is being provided is without much assessment. We will
carry out audits through Maharashtra State Security Corporation, and if MSSC finds that whatever security these central institutions provide is adequate we won’t need to interfere. If the audit say that certain areas are left out we will communicate to them,” Bakshi explained.