The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the National Investigating Agency Bill, 2008 and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2008 by a voice vote, a day after it was introduced against the backdrop of the terror attacks in Mumbai.

“The nation expects Parliament to pass these bills in this session. Let us demonstrate our unity of purpose by passing these bills unanimously,” said Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, after there was a suggestion by the BJP and Left to refer the bill to the Standing Committee.

“What we have done is to do more than adequate balance of requirements of investigating and prosecuting agency and the demands of human rights and the people of India for strong anti-terror laws,” the minister said, adding that the NIA would investigate offences under eight laws listed in its schedule and any acts that strike terror among people.

The Home Minister also informed the House that a meeting of CMs would be held on January 6 on the issue.

Earlier in the day, the House witnessed the two alliances trading charges over tools to fight terror, with the BJP taking potshots at the Congress’s “belated realisation” of the need for an anti-terror law and the Congress reminding it of the Kandahar hijack.

“Like Kumbahakaran, you have woken up after seven-eight years. I want you to realise that you were wrong (in not bringing a similar legislation earlier),” Leader of Opposition L K Advani said, arguing that there was a “fundamental flaw in the Congress’s approach towards terror”.

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