TN CPI-M unit wants state govt to withdraw amended Act

Expressing apprehensions of possible misuse of the amended Goondas Act allowing detention of first time sexual and cyber crime offenders, CPI (M) today urged the Tamil Nadu government to withdraw it as it was 'undemocratic.'
The party's state council adopted a resolution in this regard on Monday, CPI (M) state secretary G Ramakrishnan said.
The Act "is like a preventive custody" of a person without proper inquiry, he said adding it was an 'undemocratic Act.'
"Lodging someone in jail without proper inquiry is against natural justice, law and human rights. There is a danger of it being used against political opponents," he said.

The state council 'condemned' the hasty manner in which it was passed in the Assembly last week, he said adding the government should withdraw it.
The Assembly had passed two amendments to the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Forest-offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic offenders, Sand-offenders, Slum-grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982, popularly known as Goondas Act, bringing even first time sexual offenders and cyber crimes under its ambit.