Amit Shah Kovind One Nation One Election Report

Historic Day For Democratic System: Shah On Submission Of One Nation One Election Report

As the high-level committee on simultaneous elections constituted under the Chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday met President Droupadi Murmu and submitted its report, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called it a “historic day for the country’s democratic system.”

“It is a historic day for the country’s democratic system. Today, the High-Level Committee formed by the Modi government on One Nation One Election, chaired by Shri @ramnathkovind Ji, presented its report before the Hon’ble President,” the Home Minister posted on his ‘X’ handle.

The report, comprising 18,626 pages, is an outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders, experts and research work of 191 days, since the constitution of the High-Level Committee on September 2, 2023.

Shah was among the other members of the Committee that included Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha; N K Singh, former Chairman, 15th Finance Commission; Subhash C Kashyap, former Secretary General, Lok Sabha; Harish Salve, Senior Advocate; and Sanjay Kothari, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Law and Justice was a Special Invitee and Niten Chandra was the Secretary of the Committee.

The committee held extensive consultations to understand the views of different stakeholders. 47 political parties submitted their views and suggestions, out of which 32 supported simultaneous elections. Many political parties had extensive discussions with the committee on this matter.

In response to a public notice published in newspapers in all the States and Union territories, 21,558 responses were received from citizens from all over India. Of them, 80 per cent of the respondents supported simultaneous elections.

Experts on law such as four former Chief Justices of India and twelve former Chief Justices of major High Courts, four former Chief Election Commissioners of India, eight State Election Commissioners, and the Chairman, of the Law Commission of India were invited by the committee for interaction in person. Views of the Election Commission of India were also sought.

Apex business organisations like the CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and eminent economists were also consulted to present their views on the economic repercussions of asynchronous elections. They advocated the economic imperative of simultaneous elections on account of the effect of asynchronous elections on fuelling inflation and slowing down the economy. The committee was briefed by these bodies that intermittent elections had adverse consequences on economic growth, quality of public expenditure, and educational and other outcomes, besides upsetting social harmony.

After careful consideration of all suggestions and viewpoints, the Committee recommends a two-step approach to lead to simultaneous elections. As the first step, simultaneous elections will be held for the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies. In the second step, elections to the Municipalities and the Panchayats will be synchronized with the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies in such a way that Municipalities and Panchayats elections are held within a hundred days of holding elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies.

The committee also recommends that there should be a single electoral roll and Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) for use in elections to all three tiers of Government.

In tune with its mandate to explore the mechanism for simultaneous elections, and keeping in view the existing framework of the Constitution, the Committee has crafted its recommendations in such a way that they are in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of India and would require bare minimum amendments to the Constitution.

Upon all-inclusive deliberations, the committee concludes that its recommendations will significantly enhance the transparency, inclusivity, ease and confidence of the voters.

Overwhelming support for holding simultaneous elections will spur the development process and social cohesion, deepen the foundations of our democratic rubric, and realize the aspirations of India, that is Bharat, it said. (ANI)

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Asaduddin Owaisi Mamata

Shah Questions Owaisi, Mamata For Calling CAA An Anti-Muslim Law

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, took on opposition leaders Asaduddin Owaisi and Mamata Banerjee for their claims that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was anti-Muslim and said that the law can’t be seen in isolation as it carries a history with itself.

Owaisi had referred to the law as anti-Muslim and said that since it was based on religion it can’t be formulated in the country, while Mamata Banerjee questioned the government claiming that it has eliminated the entire Muslim community like those who have come from Bangladesh from this.

“This is not a poitical game for the Bharatiya Janata Party. For our leader PM Modi ji and our government it is our duty to give adequate rights to those persecuted minorties from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who were living like refugees in India. It is a question of giving them rights that have eluded them for three generations and empathising with their pain” the Home Minister said

Amit Shah also assured the Muslim community that the CAA does not in any way take away their rights as was being alleged by the opposition.

“I said this nearly 41 times in the recent times that the minorities in India need not worry as there is no provision to take away anyone’s citizenship. It only gurantees citizenship for persecuted minorties of Hindu, Skih, BUdhist, Christian and Parsi denomination” Amit Shah said.

“The opposition has no other work than to criticise us, they even questioned the surgical strikes and said we sought political mileage from them. Should we have not acted against terrorism. They also called the abbrogation of 370 a political motive. It is our record that what we promise we deliver, every guarantee that Modi ji has given has come true” the Home Minister added.

The Home Minister also spoke of the history of partition and why this law could not be viewed in isolation.

“Do not view this law in isolation. On August 15, 1947 the country was divided into three parts. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh and the BJP alway opposed partition on the basis of religion. And those who were minortities in those countries became victims of sever oppression. They were forced to convert, their women were assualted and because of that they came to seek refuge in India. Are these people not eligible for Indian citizenshp. At the time of partition the leaders of the Congress said that people should not leave their places as there was violence and later they will be given citizenship in India. Now the Congress has forgotten that for its vote bank politics” the Home Minister said.

Amit Shah said it was the moral duty of the government to give citizenship and protection to minorties undergoing persecution.

“Those people who were living in undivided Indian and then underwent persecution for following their faith we must offer them citizenship. It is our moral duty. You can look at the statistics and see the drop in the Hindu population in Pakistan since independence. These people were persecuted, so where should they go, should not the political parties think about that. In Afghansistan there ar only about 500 or so Hinus left, don’t these people have a right live with their beliefs. They were all our brothers in undiveded India” the Home Minister said.

Further, when asked about Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray’s allegations of CAA being implemented to hide the failure of the BJP government, Shah, in a staunch reply, sought clarification of the former’s stand on CAA.

“I want a clear clarification from Uddhav Thackeray in front of the people of the nation and Maharashtra, whether he wants CAA or not. Now he wants the votes of minorities that is why he is doing politics of appeasement and we are not. Our stand is clear from day one” the Home Minister said.

On March 11, the Union Home Ministry notified rules for the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled.

CAA aims to provide Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants – including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians – who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. (ANI)

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Asha Bhosle Amit Shah

Asha Sings ‘Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar’ As She Meets Shah

Legendary singer Asha Bhosle sang the evergreen ‘Abhi na jao chhod kar’ song during her meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Amit Shah released the book ‘Best of Asha’, a photobiography of the legendary singer in Mumbai.

The book was released at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai in the presence of the acclaimed singer.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra took to X and shared the video of Amit Shah and Asha Bhosle.

Conceptualized and initiated by Mumbai BJP president and the party MLA Ashish Shelar, ‘Best of Asha’ is a compilation of photographs of Asha Bhosle as captured by ace photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha.

Asha’s style of singing, her songs, and her entire life journey have been captured in the photographs that have been published in this book. It is nothing less than a beautifully crafted ‘treasure trove’ of 42 of her best melodies, along with memories associated with it.

Asha Bhosle is known as one of the most successful singers in Hindi cinema. In her career spanning over eight decades, she has recorded songs for films and albums in several Indian languages and received awards. She was also honoured with the Dadasahed Phalke Award. She was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country in 2008.

The legendary singer’s career started in 1943 and spanned an illustrious and fruitful journey in the music industry of more than six decades.

In addition, she has recorded several private albums and songs. Bhosle has also participated in numerous solo concerts in India and abroad.

In 2011, she was acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most-recorded artist in music history.

The singer has given several hit songs like ‘Parde Mein Rehne Do’, ‘Piya Tu Ab To Aaja’, and ‘Dum Maro Dum’ among several others. (ANI)

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CAA Shah

Shah contributes Rs 2000 To BJP’s Party Fund

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday contributed Rs 2,000 to the party fund of the Bharatiya Janata Party and also urged the public to “donate for nation building”.

In a post on X, Amit Shah said, “Every person’s support is crucial to building a Viksit Bharat. Under the leadership of Modi Ji, the BJP has been working towards making Bharat a developed nation. Let us all stand shoulder-to-shoulder and make the #DonationForNationBuilding a nationwide campaign using the NaMo App.”

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also donated Rs 2,000 to the BJP party fund.

The call to donate money comes after the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous verdict in February, striking down the Electoral Bonds scheme as unconstitutional.

While the opposition parties hailed the Apex Court decision, the ruling BJP said that the scheme was brought in for transparency in electoral funding.

The CJI, while reading out his judgement, said that the Supreme Court holds that anonymous electoral bonds are violative of Right to Information and Article 19(1)(a)

.The Supreme Court said that information about corporate contributors through Electoral Bonds must be disclosed as the donations by companies are purely for quid pro quo purposes.

The purpose of curbing black money is not a sufficient justification to anonymise the identities of donors and the details of the contributions in the Electoral Bonds scheme, the SC said while striking down the Centre’s Electoral Bonds scheme.

An electoral bond is an instrument in the nature of a promissory note or bearer bond that can be purchased by any individual, company, firm or association of persons, provided the person or body is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. The bonds are issued specifically for the purpose of contributing funds to political parties. (ANI)

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CAA Shah

Tripartite Agreement Signed With Tripura, TIPRA Motha To Address Grievances

A tripartite agreement was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, between Government of India, Government of Tripura and The Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance/TIPRA, popularly known as Tripra Motha and other stakeholders, in the national capital on Saturday.

On this occasion, Amit Shah said, “Today is a historic day for Tripura, and through this agreement, we have looked at the future by honouring history, making amends, and accepting today’s realities.”

“No one can change history, but we can always move forward by learning from mistakes and keeping in mind today’s realities. He said that Tripra Motha and all tribal parties have played a constructive role in this direction,” he added.

Union Home Minister said that the Tripura government has always made several efforts for this. He said that in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of a Viksit Bharat, Tripura will also be committed to making its contribution and having its share and will move forward as a Viksit Tripura.

Further, the Home Minister talked about efforts made under the leadership of PM Modi insurgency-free, dispute-free, and violence-free Northeast.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Ministry of Home Affairs has made efforts to give shape to vision of an insurgency-free, dispute-free and violence-free Northeast. He noted that due to several agreements by Modi Government, around 10 thousand people have given up arms and joined mainstream, which has resulted in creation of an environment of development.”

“Be it Bru-Reang agreement or border agreement, it all started with Tripura and today again it is an agreement for Tripura. He said that in 2019 NLFT (SD) agreement, in 2020 Bru and Bodo agreements, in 2021 Karbi-Anglong agreement, in 2022 Tribal agreement and Assam-Meghalaya border agreement, in 2023 Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border agreement, Dimasa agreement UNLF and then ULFA agreement have taken place,” He added.

He said that Modi government has worked to end struggle of people by talking to them through 11 different agreements related to borders, identity, language and culture.

Shah said that with today’s agreement, Tripura has moved forward to become a dispute-free Tripura. He said that now you do not have to struggle for your rights and the Government of India will come forward to develop a system which will protect rights of all.

Under the pact, it was agreed to amicably resolve all issues of indigenous people of Tripura relating to history, land and political rights, economic development, identity, culture and language. Along with this, it was agreed to constitute a Joint Working Group/Committee to work out and implement the mutually agreed points on all the above-mentioned issues in a time-bound manner to ensure an honourable solution.

In order to maintain a conducive atmosphere for the implementation of the pact, all stakeholders shall refrain from resorting to any form of protest/agitation, starting from the day of signing of the agreement.

On behalf of TIPRA, the agreement was signed by Pradyot Debbarma, Founder TIPRA and others. Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, Chief Minister, Tripura and several senior officials of Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI and the Government of Tripura were also present during the signing of the agreement. (ANI)

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Bharatiya Janata Party's National Convention

Second Political Resolution Takes Swipe At INDIA Bloc

On the second day of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s National Convention being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday proposed a second political resolution named “‘
BJP’ Desh Ki Aasha, Vipaksh Ki Hatasha
“, mainly focused on the opposition’s INDIA bloc.

The political resolution was presented by Amit Shah, and it was seconded by Union Minister Arjun Munda.

In the seven-page political proposal, the BJP has alleged that Congress is the mother of instability; Congress is synonymous with bitterness, cunningness, and strategy, strange combination of the INDIA bloc, anti-poor Congress; Congress immersed in corruption; the divisive politics of Congress; attacks on Indian culture; and opposition of every progressive step by Congress.

Congress’s insult to the country’s constitutional institutions and scientists, Congress’s immature and irresponsible politics, and the politics of violence and anarchy by INDIA bloc ensure the downfall of Congress.

“Congress and most of its allies included in the INDIA bloc have been united in the politics of anarchy and violence in the country. Recently, shocking incidents have come to light in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal. The TMC has been continuously trying to suppress the voice of the public by targeting BJP workers in West Bengal.There have been many incidents of murder and violence against BJP workers by the CPI, CPM, and their allies in Kerala,” the resolution read.

The country still remembers the kind of jungle rule established by Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar. Tribal women, farmers, and common people have had to endure many types of harassment and torture wherever they are in the country. In the name of movement, efforts are made by divisive elements to create an environment of anarchy.

“Wherever, in the name of movement, efforts are made to create an environment of anarchy by divisive elements in the country, Congress and its allies reach there first to add fuel to the fire. We pledge to continue our struggle against this type of negative politics,” it said.

“It was formed only to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi; hence, the alliance has no theoretical or ideological basis. The various parties involved in it contest elections against each other, and in many states, they oppose each other. In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party contests against Congress, while in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress and Congress party contest against each other,” it added.

There is ideological similarity between them. Priyanka’s programme has some goals; only to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)

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Paswan Meets Shah; BJP, RJD, JDU Hold Separate Meetings

Paswan Meets Shah; BJP, RJD, JDU Hold Separate Meetings

Amid turmoil in Bihar political scenario , Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan who met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the latter’s residence in the national capital on Saturday said the “situation is very positive regarding the alliance.”

BJP National President JP Nadda was also present at the meeting at Shah’s residence today.

After the meeting, Paswan todl reporters that more clarity over the prevaling political situation in the State will emerge in the next few days.

“It was important to know what is happening in Bihar today. On this issue, I held a meeting with Amit Shah and JP Nadda ji today. I have kept my concerns before them over Bihar. They have given assurance on various issues. The situation is very positive regarding the alliance. In the coming days, the situation will become more clear, and after that, our party will take a stand. We are a part of NDA today,” he said.

Meanwhile, a core committee meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party is underway in Bihar’s capital Patna.

Bihar Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Vijay Kumar Sinha, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, BJP MP and former Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, Union Minister Nityanand Rai, BJP Bihar President Samrat Chaudhary participated in the meeting.

Former Janata Dal (United) president Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh arrived at the residence of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, in Patna today.

Also, several Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders arrived at Deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav’s residence. Vijay Kumar Mandal, Lalit Kumar Yadav, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Bihar Law Minister Shamim Ahmad and Binod Jaiswal visited Bihar’s Deputy chief minster’s residence in Patna.

JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said “INDIA alliance is on the verge of breaking due to the irresponsible and obstinate attitude of Congress.”

In 2000, Nitish became Chief Minister of the state for the first time after campaigning against RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s ‘Jungle Raaj’. Till now, he has held the chief ministerial post eight times.

In 2013, Nitish broke ranks with the NDA after a 17-year alliance following the announcement of Narendra Modi as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. He expressed his displeasure to the BJP over Modi’s selection as the PM face, and after the BJP decided to not change its decision, Kumar left the alliance.

In 2017, Nitish forged a grand alliance with the RJD and Congress and returned as chief minister in 2015. He walked out of the grand alliance in 2017, accusing the RJD of corruption and choking governance in the state.

In 2022, Nitish Kumar snapped ties with the BJP once again, alleging the BJP was conspiring against him and trying to influence JD-U MLAs to rebel against him.

There are speculations of Nitish Kumar joining forces with the BJP. The move comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled in a few months as well as the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections in 2025. (ANI)

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Indo-Myanmar Border To Be Fenced To Curb Influx Of Illegal Migrants, Insurgents: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the Indo-Myanmar border will be fenced like the Indo-Bangladesh border to curb the influx of illegal migrants and insurgents.

Addressing the passing out parade ceremony of Assam Police Commandos, Shah said, ” Indo-Myanmar border is to be fenced like the Indo-Bangladesh border. The Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has decided to fence the Indo-Myanmar border to curb the influx of illegal migrants and insurgents.”

“We are also thinking of ending the free-movement facility with Myanmar,” Shah added.

Shah applauded the Assam Police for fighting against different issues including infiltration and drug smuggling.

“Assam has always been affected by infiltration issues that have been going on for 10 decades, Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, drug smuggling, etc., but Assam Police has a glorious history of fighting and winning against these issues,” he said.

The Union Minister also launched a scathing attack on the Congress’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and said that people who lost their family members due to insurgency in Congress rule are opposing the yatra.

“Rahul Gandhi has launched Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra recently, I asked a few media personnel here today, what happened in Assam. During Congress rule, thousands of youths lost their lives, extremism prevailed in Assam. The family members of those people who lost lives during Congress rule objected to Congress Yatra and demanded justice,” Shah said.

Meanwhile, the 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border, spanning Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, currently operates under the Free Movement Regime (FMR), permits individuals living near the India-Myanmar border to travel 16 km into each other’s territories without a visa. Initiated in 2018, the FMR policy was a component of India’s Act East policy.

As per FMR policy, those belonging to the hill tribes, being citizens of either India or Myanmar and residing within a 16 km radius on either side of the border, can cross with a border pass valid for one year, allowing a stay of up to two weeks per visit.

Allegations claim that following the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, a considerable number of Myanmar’s tribal population crossed into India, particularly Manipur and Mizoram, and remained illegally. It’s alleged that these individuals sought refuge on Indian territory and subsequently engaged in unlawful activities, notably drug smuggling.

In September 2023, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh appealed to the Centre to terminate the FMR. The state government contends that insurgents exploit this regime to advance their activities.

Manipur shares approximately 390 km of a porous border with Myanmar, with only about 10 km fenced as of now. In July last year, the state government disclosed data indicating that approximately 700 illegal immigrants had entered the state.

Additionally, following the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, Mizoram has witnessed an influx of thousands of anti-Junta rebels. Government estimates suggest that several thousand refugees have settled in various parts of Mizoram since the coup.

Mizoram has a porous border spanning 510 kilometres with Myanmar.

The Manipur Chief Minister mentioned incidents where individuals from Myanmar attempted to enter his state but retreated upon encountering a substantial presence of security personnel. Manipur shares a 398-kilometer border with Myanmar.

Arunachal Pradesh shares a 520-kilometer border with Myanmar, whereas Nagaland’s border with the country spans 215 kilometres. (ANI)

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Assam

Assam Now Just One Step Away From Becoming Insurgency Free

A peace dialogue between the central government and a faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) which has been on for over a decade now, is set to be signed this evening here in the national capital in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

A 30-member delegation arrived in Delhi earlier this week, which includes 16 ULFA members and 14 from the civil society. The Memorandum of Settlement will be signed between the government of India, the government of Assam and representatives of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) at 5 pm today.

The insurgent group ULFA came into being in April 1979 in the aftermath of an agitation against undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan). The illegal influx in Assam has been on, though with varying degrees, ever since India’s independence.

Locals in Assam feared a massive change in demography, which may pose a threat to their culture, land, and other political rights.

ULFA was split into two factions in 2011 when the pro-talk faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa decided to return to Assam from “abroad” and participate in peace talks while the other group ULFA (Independent), led by its commander Paresh Barua, was opposed to negotiations unless the ‘sovereignty’ clause was discussed upon.

Arabinda Rajkhowa-led faction gave up violence and agreed to unconditional talks with the government. Anup Chetia, another top ULFA functionary, later joined the pro-talks group a couple of years after.

Anup Chetia, who is currently in Delhi told ANI over the phone earlier this week, that the talks between ULFA and the government were in the final stage.

In 2011, ULFA submitted a 12-point charter of demands to the government which includes constitutional and political arrangements and reforms, protection of the identity and material resources of the local indigenous population of Assam, which has since been under discussion at various levels.

The Union government in April sent it a draft agreement. A series of talks with officials concerned in the Central government has taken place since the delegation arrived in Delhi before the signing of the peace pact.

The Union government has signed peace deals with rebel Bodo, Dimasa, Karbi, and Adivasi outfits in Assam over the last three years. The banned ULFA-Independent led by Paresh Baruah would be the only major insurgent outfit in the state once the deal with the ULFA pro-talks faction is inked.

Since Himanta Biswa Sarma became chief minister in May 2021, over 7,000 insurgents from various rebel groups have shelved their guns to join the mainstream. The state government has been running various rehabilitation programs to accommodate these former insurgents to live a respectable life.

HImanta Biswa Sarma has on various occasions since becoming the chief minister appealed to ULFA(I) leader Paresh Baruah to return to the mainstream and join the massive development process that has taken place in the state. CM Sarma also emphasised the need to resolve all the outstanding issues through dialogue.

Assam has witnessed decades-long insurgency, necessitating operations from the central paramilitary and Armed forces. The most prominent operations against ULFA were Operation Bajrang and Operation Rhino. The insurgency in Assam led to the loss of lives of civilians, personnel of armed forces, state police personnel, and of course the members of insurgents.

Due to the insurgency activities, the Disturbed Areas Act and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) had to be brought in in Assam in 1980. However, now it is just limited to a few districts in Upper Assam. (ANI)

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New criminal law bills, Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Those Hiding In Other Countries Trial In Absentia Introduced: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the new criminal law bills have a provision of trial in absentia for those who are “hiding in other countries” for terror acts and other offences in India.

Replying to the debate in Lok Sabha on Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023, Amit Shah said if those hiding in other countries do not appear before the court within 90 days, then in their absence, trial will go on.

“Many may have objections to the provisions under trial in absentia. What sympathy can there be for someone who has committed a crime and fled the country? Whether it’s the Mumbai bomb blast or any other act of terrorism. They commit any crime and take refuge in countries like Pakistan or others. The question arises, should they be punished or not?”

The Home Minister said those evading trial by staying abroad should face legal consequences.

“Those people are hiding in other countries, and trials are not underway…Ninety days will be given for the accused to appear before the court. If they fail to do so, a public prosecutor will be appointed for their prosecution. This approach will not only expedite the legal process but also change their status in the other country when they are prosecuted. It will make the process to bring them back speedy.”

Amit Shah said that the new criminal law bills are in consonance with the spirit of the Constitution and have been brought keeping in mind the well-being of the people of the country.

The House later passed the three bills which will replace the Indian Penal Code of 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973 and Indian Evidence Act, of 1872.

The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill 2023 will replace the IPC, CrPC and the Evidence Act respectively. (ANI)

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