The Hindu Business Line : Anti-terror laws

This refers to “Strategies to combat terrorism” (Business Line, September 22).The second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) has suggested that a comprehensive and effective legal framework should be enacted to deal with all aspects of terror.

The Commission favoured a federal agency to investigate terrorist offences. In the context of the recent terror attacks in the country, the recommendations of the Commission are significant and should be implemented without delay.

The ARC also suggested making the bail provisions for an accused stringent and providing for a long detention period. These tough measures will definitely prevent the culprits from getting away scot-free.

The Chairman of the Commission has further proposed video recording of the statements made as confessions before the police.

Such confessions could be concrete proof because even the death of any witness will not come in the way of legal proceedings against the guilty.

As suggested by the Commission, equally strong safeguards are needed to prevent any misuse of the proposed effective legal framework. And above all, terrorists are nowadays well-versed with modern technology.

Terror e-mails are almost part and parcel of the militant outfits. Such e-mail threats are clearly aimed at creating panic among the people — which is comparable to the destruction caused by the bomb blasts.

Like in Europe, where technology plays an important role in the fight against terrorism, as mentioned in the article, implementing tough laws with cutting-edge technology is necessary.

Further, one of the toughest recommendations by the Commission is to choke the funding of the terrorists.

A proper mechanism to clog such funds flow terrorists will definitely eliminate the breeding ground of terror acts.

P. S. Saravana Durai Tuticorin