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Tamil Nadu to consider suggestions on anti-terrorism bill

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said the state government would examine the suggestions of various leaders in respect of the Prevention of Terrorists Activities Bill, passed by the state assembly recently.

Talking to the media at the Madurai airport, he said former Union finance minister and Tamil Maanila Congress leader P Chidambaram had suggested the setting up of a panel comprising former judges to review some clauses of the Bill. The Communist Party of India and the CPI-Marxist had demanded dilution of some stringent provisions, while TMC president G K Moopanar had cautioned the government against misuse of the provisions of the Bill.

Since the President was yet to give his assent to the Bill, the suggestions would be considered, he added.

Karunanidhi likened the passage of the Bill to one getting a licence for a revolver or a gun for self-defence, but not necessarily to shoot down someone.

On the reported delay in the disposal of the corruption cases filed by the state government against former chief minister J Jayalalitha and former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham ministers, Karunanidhi said the accused were putting hurdles in the proceedings in the special courts which were trying the cases, and expressed confidence that the cases would be decided in favour of the government.

Referring to the Karnataka government convening a meeting of elected representatives, including members of Parliament and state legislature to discuss the Cauvery water dispute with Tamil Nadu, he said there was no need for the DMK government to convene such a meeting as all information pertaining to the issue was being provided to the leaders of various political parties.

On the ban on the car festival of the Swarnamutheswara temple at Kandadevi village in Sivaganga district despite a court order, he said the district collector had informed the government that the ban was necessary as tension prevailed in the village. It was not the government's aim to interfere with the rights of Dalits and 'Kallars' to celebrate the festival. The court had to decide whether the ban amounted to contempt of court.

The Madras high court had, on Monday, directed the state government to ensure unhindered public participation in the festival.

UNI

EARLIER REPORT:

TN government tables anti-terrorism bill

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