Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Draconian

The editorial, “Two steps backward” (Dec. 19), rightly points out that combating terrorism needs the beefing up of the intelligence and investigative system, and the police force. Draconian measures have only proved counterproductive. When POTA and TADA were in place, innumerable people were detained. But how many among them were terrorists?

By amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and not doing much to improve policing, the UPA government has chosen an easy way out. Will draconian laws prevent terrorists who don’t care about their lives and remain eager to take as many lives as they can?

Shadab Husain,

Lucknow

With the passing of the amendment to the UAPA, the discredited POTA has gained a new lease of life. The only significant aspect of POTA that is (thankfully) absent in the amendment is the admissibility of confession as evidence in court. The provisions on the presumption of guilt and the arbitrary discretion of the government to decide what constitutes terror are worrisome. There is as much scope for abuse in the new law as there was in POTA.

Dilip Raghavan,

Toronto

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