Thiruvananthapuram : Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the Assembly today that, his govt will not allow abuse of UAPA act 2019, an amendment which the Communist party vehemently opposed, when introduced by BJP this year, he reminded.
The law, a brainchild of Congress-led UDF in 1967, was amended thrice by them between 2004 and 2014, he said.
The latest ammendment, brought about by BJP this year, allows govt to notify an individual as a terrorist.
Communist party MP, the sole Left representative in the parliament, was the only leader who opposed the draconian amendment. There were 19 UDF MPs in the House at that time, of whom 15 belonged to Congress, Pinaryi said, adding that, "Not one voted against the Bill then."
For opposing the draconian law, Amit Shah even branded Communist as enemy of the country, the chief minister said.
Referring to the present case, where two youths, Taha and Alan, were arrested at Kozhikode under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act(UAPA), Pinarayi told the assembly that Maoist literature were seized from their homes. According to police, Taha also shouted pro-Maoist slogans while being taken into custody, the minister said..
In Kerala, to prevent UAPA misuse, such cases can be booked only with DGP's permission and prosecuted with government's permission only.
On its part, when such arrests are made, the govt asks the police chief to review the case and submit report after probing. The case is then passed on to specially constituted UAPA authority for its view. On receiving such expert opinion, govt then takes the final call on whether or not to pass it for prosecution.
The present govt scrapped 6 UAPA cases lodged during previous UDF govt tenure, Pinarayi told the Assembly.
The Chief Minister was responding to adjournment motion on the UAPA arrests. The motion was moved by UDF MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
