Special Public Safety Laws required as Maoist group groups active in urban areas: Fadnavis
He addressed concerns raised about the draft bill, which will be introduced at the state legislature’s monsoon meeting starting June 30.
The laws proposed by the Maharashtra government are crucial to ensuring internal security, CM said.
“The proposed Special Public Safety Act will not interfere with individual civil liberties, but target organizations engaged in anti-state activities,” he said.
Concerns about the provisions of the proposed Maharashtra Special Public Safety Act have surfaced among journalists’ organizations.
A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said that in order to address these issues and illustrate the practicality of security within the country, detailed discussions were conducted during the meeting. Fadnavis said the other four states and central governments have implemented public safety laws. “The laws proposed by the Maharashtra government are more protective than laws enacted in the other four states. Given the ban in several parts of the country prohibiting its actions, many banned Maoist groups have moved their headquarters to Maharashtra, and now their coalition groups are now operating in urban areas.”
The Chief Minister added: “The failure to introduce this law could lead to a significant challenge in Maharashtra.”
The bill was introduced at the state legislative winter meeting in December.
The Chief Minister said that to ensure public awareness and transparency about the proposed law, the bill was reviewed by the Joint Committee and held a public hearing.
Fadnavis guarantees that if the journalist organization proposes any amendments or recommendations to this law, appropriate measures will be taken to incorporate them. He further said that efforts would be made to clarify the provisions of the law.
“If an organization is harmful to the security of the country or spreads the ideology of Maoist groups, then action can only be taken before the hearing takes place before an advisory committee of three judges before an advisory committee,” Fadnavis said.
Additionally, CM said police authorities will have to confirm its claims before the committee, proving that the group’s actions threaten internal security.
“The organization will only face an action or injunction after confirmation,” he said, reiterating that the law does not target individuals or journalists.
The Maharashtra Special Public Safety Act of 2024, which will become the first law to address Nassarism in the state, proposes to grant multiple powers to the government and police agencies to combat illegal activities. All offences registered under this Act will be cognizable and non-bailable.
The bill describes illegal activities as addiction or spreading violence, vandalism or other acts that cause fear and fear from the public.
It said that addiction or encouragement of the use of guns, explosives or other equipment, and encouragement or preaching disobedience to established laws and their institutions is also an illegal activity.
An illegal organization is an organization that is addicted to or assists, provides assistance or encourages any illegal activities.
Under the bill, links to an illegal organization will attract three to seven years of prison term, with a fine of between Rs 3 and 5 lakh.
The advisory board will decide whether there are sufficient reasons to declare the organization illegal. It will submit a report to the government within three months.
Under the Act, all crimes are cognizable and non-bailable. The bill says the offense will be investigated by a police officer who is not lower than the level of deputy inspector.
All offences shall be registered with written permission of an official not less than the level of Deputy Inspector General of the Police, who shall also designate an investigative officer to investigate the case.
