The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : `Repeal POTA'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

`Repeal POTA'

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, SEPT.7. The Peoples Watch - Tamil Nadu has urged the Centre to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and render it invalid since the date of its passing.

The Executive Director, Henri Tiphagne, said the Government should "reinforce its faith in democracy" by withdrawing the cases filed under the Act. The United Progressive Alliance Government had promised to repeal the POTA, claiming that it was grossly misused. But nothing had been done so far, Mr. Tiphagne said in a statement.

"Even if it was repealed, cases would not be registered under the POTA, but there is no guarantee that the charges against those charged would be dropped." He said Siva alias Parthiban was shot dead by the `Q' Branch police for allegedly conducting political classes and arms training near Salajogipatti in Dharmapuri district on November 22 and 23, 2002. Besides, 27 persons, including six women, had been languishing in prison from November 24, 2002 under the POTA.

Neither the Government nor the political parties had shown sympathy to the 27 youngsters, whose cases were being heard in the POTA Special Court at Poonamalee in Chennai.

Though the police submitted a final report on May 19, 2003, the Government was yet to open an inquiry.

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