After attracting flak, the state home department has decided to amend a few clauses of the controversial Internal Security Act, which was proposed a few days ago. One such amendment would be increasing the number of people that can gather in public without the police’s permission from 100 to 1,000. Also, the provision of enforcing a fine for those not following the Act would be diluted, officials said.
As per the provisions of the proposed Act, permission from the police would be needed for any gathering where more than 100 people are expected. Activists had expressed fear that the move was taken to curtain public agitations. Critics said that private functions and gatherings would also be restricted by the Act.
Sources in the home department said that the provision would be changed to mellow criticism. “The number of people that would need permission from the police would be increased from 100 to 1,000. The objection was against the number and, hence, it will be relaxed,” an official from the home department said, on condition of anonymity.
Another issue was the fine that was to be imposed on those not following the provisions of the law. The Act has a provision for imprisonment and a fine for violating the norms proposed. “Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act will be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or with fine which may extend to Rs 50,000 or with both,” it said. However, now the government is planning to reduce the fine, the official added.
The proposed Act was made public in August but received so much flak that the government withdrew the draft. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the home minister, announced that an all-party committee would be appointed to discuss the draft of the Act, and it would be brought before the public once again.
Aiming to strengthen the internal security, the state government had envisaged the Maharashtra Protection of Internal Security Act (MPISA) last year. The draft for the same, which the CM gave the green signal last year, was recently made public, seeking suggestions for modifications. Emphasising that internal security could be compromised due to various reasons, the state wants to protect its borders, coastal areas and critical infrastructure sectors.
