With the Congress government in Punjab planning to bring a law against organised crime, the Dal Khalsa, a Sikh radical group, on Sunday feared that it would be misused against political opponents.
“Under the proposed legislation, an officer of the rank of DIG or above will have the authority to invoke it. But the key question is how to ensure that the officer will not succumb to political pressure,” Dal Khalsa chief H.S. Cheema said.
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has recently said the draft of the Punjab Control of Organised Crime Act (PCOCA) — aimed at giving more powers to security forces to tackle criminals, gangsters and radical forces — was being finalised and would be enacted soon.
Law alone not enough
Mr. Cheema said: “We, too, want a peaceful Punjab, free of organised crime and gang wars. However, stringent laws alone will not prevent gangs from indulging in violence.”
He urged human rights groups to take up the matter with the legislators and open discussions on whether the State really needed such a law.
“Are the existing laws insufficient to deal with gangsters? Whether the government has incorporated checks and balances [in the draft law] to prevent misuse?” he said.
He urged the government not to act in haste and instead seek the views of human rights groups.