Highlights of the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill

The following are the highlights of the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, which the government said will be tabled during the winter session of parliament.

- The words "majority" and "minority" community have been removed from the bill.

- The Centre does not override state nor hit the federal structure but has a more of a coordinating role, government sources said.

Earlier, the Centre could rush forces on its own to communally disturbed areas, but now it can do so only if the state concerned demands additional paramilitary forces.

- The bill flags dereliction of duty by a public servant to ensure that they don't remain mute spectators to any such incident.

- Acts of omission or commission are both punishable in the bill if officials fail to act or interfere or incite, or lead to worsening of situation.

- The bill defines organised communal violence saying it will include continuing unlawful activity of a systematic nature having a particular religious and linguistic identity done by an individual or jointly with others or being part of an association.

- The bill talks about offences for breach of command responsibility if an officer fails to exercise control over his subordinates.

- It says that whoever being a public servant or with acquiescence of a public servant intentionally inflicts pain or suffering whether mental or physical, inflicts communal violence.

- The bill states that competent authority will be the one designated by a state government or a district magistrate or commissioner of police.

- The bill details punishment of three years with fine for hate propaganda and life term for organised communal violence.

- It suggests three years jail plus fine for financially aiding such violence and recommends jail for 2-5 years for dereliction of duty by an officer.

- There is also a provision for compensation of Rs.7 lakh in case of death, Rs.5 lakh in case of rape, and Rs.4 lakh in case of sexual assault, the state has to pay in case of communal riots.