The Congress-led government in Assam on Monday sought to extend the period of detention under the Assam Preventive Detention Act,1980 from the existing six months to two years. A bill proposing the amendment was moved in the Assembly with the government saying that this would make the Assam Preventive Detention Act more effective. The Act empowers the government to detain a person for an act considered prejudicial to the security of the state,maintenance of public order,and maintenance of supplies and services to the community. While not a single person is under detention under the above act,official sources said there were currently 204 persons imprisoned under TADA (16 detenues),Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (173),and National Security Act (15).
