PUDUCHERRY: With no response from the Government to enforce Goondas Act and gangs spreading their tentacles in the Union Territory, the police have now decided to book habitual criminals under relevant sections of the National Security Act, 1980.

A general circular issued by Inspector-General of Police K. Kishan Kumar on May 11 to heads of police in all regions asked to update the records of criminals for preparing a proposal to detain them under section (2) of NSA.

"The Central Government or the State Government may, if satisfied with respect to any person that with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the State or from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of Public order... " section 2 of the sub section (3) of the Act says.

Rarely used

Though the Act was in force from the time the Central Government brought in the legislation, it was very rarely used in the territory, a senior police officer told The Hindu .

Subsequent to the request from the Police Headquarters, the Government issued a fresh notification on May 15 giving powers to the District Magistrate for issuing orders for detention of the offenders as and when the police sends request, it was reliably learnt.

Sources also informed that the Government was in the process of setting up of an Advisory Committee, comprising of three High Court judges or who are eligible to become judges of High Court, for dealing with the detention period.

The senior officer said a person booked under NSA could be detained initially for three months and the period could be extended as per the decision of the Advisory Board.

`No follow-up action'

The Inspector-General, in the general circular, has expressed concern about the "incidents of gang rivalry." He had noted in the circular that there was "no follow-up action on the accused persons released from jail and no liaison with the jail authorities regarding release of criminals."

The circular also notes that rowdies are expanding their area of operation, including hiring of autorickshaws to ply within the territory and neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu. Officers have been directed to contact dealers and agents who hire vehicles for the criminals and take necessary action.

He convened a meeting a few days ago to discuss the strategy on how to go about curtailing the activities of rowdy elements, sources said.

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