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Tough terror laws need of the hour: Bedi

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Agencies Posted: Sep 19, 2008 at 1342 hrs IST
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New Delhi, September 19: : Can stringent laws slash the spurt in India's Terror graph? Well, political parties may have varied opinions on the issue, but India's first woman IPS officer feels ‘it's the need of the hour’.

"Our laws are weak. We need strong laws to reign in the terrorists. Laws of the land must keep pace with the new challenges posed by terrorists," Kiran Bedi said.

However, according to her, stronger laws should be supplemented with faster legal process. "Terrorists know that it can take up to ten years for a case to be settled in the court of law. So, judicial system needs to be expedited."

Bedi, who also served in the United Nations as the Police Adviser to the Secretary General in Department of Peace Keeping Operations, is also in favour of a federal agency to tackle terror in the country. "It's long overdue," she rued.

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Known for her courageous act of towing away of the car of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1983, Bedi feels that India's basic fundamentals of policing are too weak to tackle terror and crime.

"We have no fundamentals in fact. We have structures only. Fundamentals come through human resource management, which unfortunately, is the weakest in our country. When 80 per cent of your constabulary is neglected, than you are bound to be the targets. So, get your basics right first," she said.

Bedi, now retired, also differs on the ‘notion of being tough or soft on acts of terror’.

"Basically, we have never addressed the issue of terrorism with desired will and efforts. Our policies are soft on crime and violence with a tradition of breaking laws, than how can you tackle terror," she said.

A recipient of Ramon Magsaysay Award (1994) for her reforms in Tihar Jail, she has also expressed disappointment with the equation between police and citizens.

"There should be 'inclusive policing' and citizens should be co-opted by police. If you do not make them partners in peace, than how can you think of their support in times of war," she said.

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View all Messages [ 14 ]
Kiran Bedi by Danesh Patel on 2008-09-19 19:25:18.975809+05:30
Why is not a supercop superefficient law enforcement officer like Kiranji a part of an agency to tackle terror? Make this fearless patriotic woman in charge of a new federal agency. Then we can be sure that she will not fight shy of charging SIMI sympathizers like Lalu and Mulayam with aiding and abetting terrorist organizations. Give her an ample budget, a free hand in choosing her cadres and the task of formulating anti-terror policy framework without political interference.--Danesh Patel
TERRORISM AND CHEAP POLITICIANS by KarunanidhiK on 2008-09-19 16:35:31.342514+05:30
If PM says that our laws tougher than those in the UK and the USA, why he needs to protect Afzal Guru? Does he not feel shame to hold his seat by doing nothing for the country's common man's security? In the first instance, our Constitution itself so weak. This is the reason cheap and corrupt and terrorist-friendly politician like MK, Lallu and Mulayam enjoy royal life. It's pathetic!!
Scared to Hell! by G. Din on 2008-09-19 16:05:48.581177+05:30
"POTA is draconian. Our laws are already toughest." says ManMORON. Does that mean our current laws are tougher than POTA? If they are, why aren't they delivering security to us. How come Gujarat, with its hands tied behind its back by this government, is able to solve cases in a couple of weeks while the Centre, with all its resources, cannot even solve one. This government is inept. It should be thrown out, but they won't call a session of the Parliament because they are scared to hell of facing it.
war against terror by K Unnikrishnan on 2008-09-19 15:31:21.810552+05:30
Terrorism has grown beyond proportion. Now the comman man's life is always subject to risk. If it is not dealt with severely it is bound to finish humanity and total economy of the country. Law of the land should be made stringent and the criminals who claim lives of innocent citizens should be replied in the same coin. Political leaders and administrators of the country should rise to the occassion to give birth to a federal set up for addressing this issue. Legal proceedings should be faster to award punishment in minimum possible time. Human life is precious and it needs all protection irrespective of the place, time and all other dimensions. The issue should not be polarised politically and the common people of the country should also join hands with the government in identifying and bringing criminals to books. We must condemn all heinous acts of crime. We are a nation wedded to peace and nonviolence ideologically and this must be translated into action by our people.
Terror laws by Vaid S C K on 2008-09-19 15:17:01.719571+05:30
Good Administrator should not have any connection with any polity but should be guided by sole principe of delivering justice and fare play for all. But our democratic system, administarion is subordinate to politician who have different priorities. Who will heed advice given by Ms Bedi?
Centre goof-up, supposedly an anomaly? by secular on 2008-09-19 15:13:54.430089+05:30
The Supreme Court should be commended for its decision to extend the ban on the outlawed terrorist outfit SIMI. The government had certainly goofed up in giving room for some ‘technicality’ on which the tribunal had concluded that the charges of subversion against SIMI had not been established. This just proves the charge of the opposition parties that the government is not serious in tackling terrorism. Otherwise, how can the government allow this lapse in its presentation to the tribunal?However, the government has made amends by promptly appealing to the Supreme Court against the order of the tribunal. The Supreme Court’s swift and appropriate response to the appeal comes as great relief to millions of patriotic citizens even if it does not satisfy political outfits like the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, for obvious reasons of their alleged links with the terror networks in the country.
Centre s nonchalant attitude is condemnable by bHARATH on 2008-09-19 15:13:15.869388+05:30
Minister of State Home Sriprakash Jaiswal’s statement that “it is virtually impossible to stop terrorist attacks” is an escapist one. After 9/11, the US could effectively monitor the movements of global and local terrorists, and there has been no terrorist attack on its land until now. In contrast, the Home ministry blames the state governments for failure calling it a ‘law and order problem’ — a state subject ’!But the moot question is how come Narendra Modi’s warning about the next target being Delhi, was not taken seriously and acted upon. Such a nonchalant attitude is reprehensible and highly condemnable. Any government, which does not take responsibility for such horrendous incidents, is not worth remaining in power. The home minister and the National Security Advisor who had failed to thwart the Delhi terrorist attacks despite the Gujarat government’s advance information should resign owning responsibility.
We need good people in government..... by Common Man on 2008-09-19 15:00:23.993374+05:30
We really need intellectuals and courageous people in government. Mr. Kalam had made a difference. Mr. Shourie was outstanding. Ms Kiran Bedi can make a good home minister.
Support terrorism or support India? by Corematter on 2008-09-19 14:47:10.058359+05:30
Our strength is our solidarity. Why are terrorists planting bombs in the Indian cities targeting Public and causing sensation? Be logical rather than emotional. Note the sponsors of terrorism (not terrorist itself!) aim is not religion! Their aim is to divide the country and keep making troubles to thwart India's growth. India is becoming huge and now taken seriously by the rest of the world. In the process Pakistan and many others are getting alienated or weak. I believe it would in their interest to check India's growth. What is India's vulnerability? The biggest aftermath of Babri Masjid, other issues and religious divide is that more terrorists are born who are bitter, helpless and cornered. These guys are shown a way out by these Terrorist sponsors! I would say rather than finger pointing at Muslims, we should extend our hands of solidarity. We should be stronger now than ever.Don't let terrorist sponsors achieve their goals! Latest emotion in town..Christian converts.. very sad!
Stringent laws for terror by Sri Ram on 2008-09-19 14:37:20.303761+05:30
PM Manmohan Singh is prove to be a nikhama at least on two fronts. One is terrorism and the other is the manner in which he is projecting the nuclear deal in front of India though the US govt is very clear on what can be done and what cannot in terms of India opting for a nuclear test. When Bush has said that US and India are two large democracies, he must have realised that India is a democracy in which only 30-40 percent of the populace are with the govt and the rest decidedly against it. Why is this govt running away from conducting the monsoon session of parliament? Does it fear that more skeletons will tumble out of the closet and the lies can prove fatal for it before going to elections? Manmohan singh will be remembered as the most un-faithful PM that India has ever had in terms of signing the nuclear deal and protecting the traitors who are having a dream run in this country.
KIRAN BEDI by NANDA on 2008-09-19 14:26:20.329536+05:30
Kiran Bedi has spoken the truth, it is the politicians who are responsible for terrorist activities they are only bothered about their vote bank,SHAME
terorism by tipu singh on 2008-09-19 13:05:50.213536+05:30
Our PM Mr. Singh says we have the toughest law , more stingent than UK
        
terrorism
by Dev Verma on 2008-09-19 19:20:00.311788+05:30
They do have but don't apply when needed.whole UPA critisize BJP if they put this efforts towards implementing laws to eliminate terrorist India will become SWARG one day but not as long as congress and its terrorist allies are there.PM is simply a mouth piece of somebody.If use his head he is capable of doing things but his hands are tied with string in SONIA's hand and thats BAD for India in the long run.
Mammoth task for BJP to undo 60 years of misrule by terror soft secular parties by Bharath on 2008-09-19 12:57:47.36381+05:30
BJP govt in Karnataka should take a tough stand against all Bangladeshi and Paki illegals. There are many from these countries who stay in Belgaum (home of illegals), border towns of Hubli and Solapur.Centre .has been soft towards terrorist organisations.There are no laws to promptly punish the perpetratrator of terrorism and organised violencein our country.More than 200,0000 innocent people have been killed by the terrorists but almost all the Governments have failed in dealing with this menace.To eliminate terrorists raise specialised Force on pattern of NSG in all states,seal our borders with Pakistan and Bengladesh handover border areas to Army,launch CI operations at all india level,deport Bengladeshis and if required take Army action agains Bengladesh for sponsering terrorism in India.Indian Govt. cannot escape from its responsibility of protecting its People against various forms of terrorism.Entire country is in the grip of terrorists but our leaders are silent.
Kiran Bedi to be the Home Minister by Sunil Sharma on 2008-09-19 12:46:49.370821+05:30
Kiran Bedi should be the next home minister or at least the next national security advisor!! She is a strong woman and we need people like her to be part of governing India. Congress and the UPA have already abdicated their will to govern India and are more interested in their vote-bank politics.
View all Messages [ 14 ]
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