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New Bill in Kerala to replace Goonda Act

Staff Reporter

THRISSUR: : The Kerala Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, said the Government would introduce legislation in the current session of the Assembly to arm the police with more powers to deal with anti-social elements.

Talking to reporters at the Kerala Police Academy at Ramavarmapuram, near here, on Sunday, the Chief Minister said the new Bill, to be named Kerala Felonious Activities (Prevention) Bill 2005,' would empower the police to keep suspected anti-social elements under preventive detention of up to six months and make them execute bonds.

Advisory committees would be formed to monitor such cases.

The Chief Minister said it might not be possible to get the Bill passed during the current session, as only three days were left for the session to end.

"But the Government is determined to implement it. It will be issued as an Ordinance or a special session of the Assembly would be convened to get it passed," Mr. Chandy said.

He said there would be structural changes in the police to enable them to act effectively against anti-social elements.

Replying to questions, the Chief Minister said the Government was considering a proposal to give magisterial powers to the city Police Commissioners.

He said reports of police-criminal nexus were "exaggerated versions of the media." There had been such stray incidents, and the Government would deal firmly with these tendencies.

Earlier, in his address after inaugurating the junior trainee mess at the Police Academy, the Chief Minister said the Government would take all steps to end criminal activities in the State.

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