The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Repealing POTA

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Friday, Aug 13, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Repealing POTA

Sir, — It is true that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) has been largely misused by State Governments either to score political revenge or to harass a section of the people. However, it would be better if it is diluted or amended to prevent its misuse and, at the same time, retaining enough teeth to fight terrorism.

Nisha Jagadish,
Bangalore

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Sir, — There is no doubt that POTA has been misused in cases like that of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader, Vaiko, in Tamil Nadu and the independent MLA, Raghuraj Pratap Singh or Raja Bhaiyya, in Uttar Pradesh. But is there a law that cannot be misused if those enforcing it want to do so?

M.C. Joshi,
Lucknow

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Sir, — The contents of POTA should be sieved in such a way that the necessary provisions are retained and the evil parts abandoned.

Mondakini Mahanta,
New Delhi

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Sir, — The decision to repeal the draconian Act that has not served the purpose for which it was enacted could not have come at a better time.

S. Narasimhan,
Hosur, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — The BJP's decision to oppose the repeal of POTA (Aug. 12) will only further alienate it from all right-thinking people.

A.A.H.K. Ghori,
Chennai

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