The Cabinet today approved the repeal of POTA, an anti-terrorism law enacted by the NDA Government, stating that it was a draconian law and being grossly misused.It also gave the go-ahead for amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to incorporate certain provisions considered necessary to tackle terrorism. ‘‘It will definitely be milder than the existing law, but we have tried to ensure the innocents don’t suffer and the guilty are punished,’’ Home Minister Shivraj Patil said today. The two ordinances will be issued soon, he added.In the one-year period after the repeal of the Act, the Central POTA Review Committee will look into all the pending cases to decide on their future. If necessary, more committees would be set up to expedite the process, the minister said. There are 217 cases under investigation and 116 in various stages of trial.There was also the provision that no courts shall take cognizance of an offence registered under POTA after one year of its repeal. ‘‘Whenever, in the opinion of the Review Committee, no prima facie case is made out, either in respect of cases pending in the courts or under investigation, such cases shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and investigations closed, as the case may be,’’ Patil said.However, nothing can be done in cases where the sentence has been pronounced. ‘‘While the repeal of POTA will be prospective, some reliefs will be retrospective,’’ he added. Repeal of POTA was a UPA promise fulfilled, he said.The Cabinet retained some provisions by amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The 32 organisations, banned under POTA, would continue to be banned.Not exactly at Home• Asked about the status of POTA cases in J-K, Patil said there weren’t any—until an official reminded him that there were 51.• On the NSCN (I-M)’s ads in local dailies for recruitment to People’s Republic of Nagalim (Greater Nagaland), Patil said it didn’t make any difference since there was an elected government in place.• Wasn’t this a violation of the ceasefire agreement? ‘‘I don’t know. I don’t think so,’’ he said. Later, he added: ‘‘Any secessionist activity is against the letter and spirit of a ceasefire agreement.’’• On talks with Naxalites, he said: ‘‘After all, they are all our kids. Angry kids, carrying weapons. We have to handle them with love, sympathy and understanding.’’
