The Bill is crafted on the lines of the Public Security Act passed by Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for effective unlawful activities of Naxal frontal organisations or similar bodies…reports Asian Lite News
The state government on Thursday tabled the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024 in the Assembly to check ‘urban Naxalism.’
Tabled in the run-up to the Assembly election, the Bill proposes more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals, organisations and 48 banned frontal organisations.
The Bill is crafted on the lines of the Public Security Act passed by Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for effective unlawful activities of Naxal frontal organisations or similar bodies.
The Bill was tabled by state Minister Uday Samant. The government has said the legislation was necessary to control the unlawful activities of frontal organisations by effective legal means as the existing laws are ineffective and inadequate to tackle the Naxalism menace.
“The seized literature of Naxals shows safe houses and urban dens of the Maoist network in cities of Maharashtra. The activities of Naxal organisations or similar organisations through their united front are creating unrest among the common people to propagate their ideology of armed rebellion against the constitutional mandate and disrupting public order in the state,” the Bill states.
According to the Bill, unlawful activity means any action which constitutes a danger or menace to public order, peace and tranquility or interferes or tends to interfere with maintenance of public order or interferes or tends to interfere with administration of law or its established institutions and personnel.
“Further, unlawful organisation means any organisation which indulges in or in pursuance of its objects abets or assists or gives aid or encourages directly or indirectly through any medium, devices or otherwise, any unlawful activity.
“If a member of an unlawful organisation takes part in meetings or activities of any such organisation or contributes or receives or solicits any contribution, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine up to ₹ 3 lakh.
“Those who manage or assist in the management of an unlawful organisation or promote or assist in promoting a meeting of any such organisation or any member who indulges in any unlawful activity shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and liable to fine up to ₹ 3 lakh,” it adds.
It further states that those who commit or abet or attempt to commit or plan to commit any unlawful activity of such unlawful organisation shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and also be liable to fine up to ₹ 5 lakh.
“If the organisation has been declared an unlawful organisation by the government and later confirmed by the Advisory Board, the District Magistrate (DM) or the Commissioner of Police (CP) may notify and take possession of places used for the purpose of unlawful activities and evict any person found in this connection.
“The District Magistrate or CP while taking possession of notified places shall also take possession of movable property including money, securities or other assets.
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