Punjab SSG bill will embolden police force beyond control
Civil Society must lodge its protest. Governor should return the bill for review
Hoshiarpur, Tuesday October 5th, 2010
Strongly criticizing the Punjab government for passing the ‘draconian bills’ in the state assembly, the organization slams Akalis for giving brutal powers to police force making them super-powerful..
In a strong worded statement, party head H S Dhami and spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh has expressed their party’s strong objections to Punjab special security group bill 2010 and Punjab (prevention of damage and public property) Bill 2010.
It’s ironic and shameful that Akalis, who have borne the brunt of misuse of draconian laws like TADA and NASA and have faced police excesses, have learnt no lessons in the recent past. The Congress, that have unleashed terror on the people of Punjab through such legislations in 80’s has changed their role with Akalis, they remarked.
Terming the bills as “black laws” and against the spirit of democracy, the leaders said the Akali government was going to make the people of the state subservient to the police hierarchy.
These (bills) are a clear cut violation of fundamental, political and civil rights of the people. This would also undermine the right to freedom of speech and expression of each citizen, they pointed out. Moreover, they said the Akalis would find it difficult to taste their own medicine in case the Congress forms the next government in the state.
The Section 14 of the SSG bill would provide impunity to police force under this Act. This impunity will embolden them beyond control, they observed.
The leaders were of the view that at the time when the entire Indian civil society has raised a banner of protest against the blanket powers given to the armed forces under the infamous "Armed Forces Special Powers Act", unfortunately “Akalis have given the same powers in Punjab to the police force under a different name”.
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"The SSG bill cannot stand scrutiny under the standards set by the UN Protocol on Civil and Political Rights. They asked the Governor to return the bill for review before signing it".
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