Parliament go-ahead to anti-terror law, NIA

New Delhi:Within three weeks of terrorist attacks in Mumbai that shook the nation, Parliament on Thursday night gave a go-ahead to the setting up of a National Investigation Agency (NIA) and providing more teeth to the law for combating terrorism that claimed hundreds of lives in India this year.The Rajya Sabha passed the NIA Bill and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, which were approved by Lok Sabha on Wednesday, after a lengthy debate during which most parties expressed their support for such measures, while some members voiced reservations over certain clauses.Winding up a six-hour debate on the two bills, Home Minister P Chidambaram said adequate care had been taken while drafting these bills to ensure that law enforcement agencies were empowered to effectively deal with the problem of terrorism, but at the same time respecting the rights of individuals and states.The Home Minister said a strong message should go to the people that \"we are united and we have a unity of purpose and are determined to bring to book perpetrators of crime,\" adding \"Parliament is the sentinel to guard liberty\".Terrorist attacks on luxury hotels and other places in the financial capital claimed about 180 lives, leading to outrage in the country.Sensing the mood of the people, the UPA moved swiftly to bring tougher terror laws along with a NIA with power to take up terror cases anywhere in the country suo motu.The main objectives of bringing the two new bills are to ensure speedy and efficient investigation, fair and speedy trial and deterrent punishment, Chidambaram said adding these laws will apply only to eight acts and not to all crimes as the NIA is not like CBI or FBI.

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