The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill 2019, which will enable the Central Government to notify an individual as a ‘terriorist’. Speaker Om Birla announced that the Bill was passed with 287 'yes' votes and 8 'no' votes.

During a discussion on the Bill, Home Minister Amit Shah said tough laws were required to end terrorism and asserted that the amendment does not encroach on powers of states. Replying to a spirited debate on the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha, Shah said the BJP-led government will never misuse its provisions.

What is UAPA Bill?

Instead of designating only an organisation as a terrorist organisation, the bill additionally empowers the centre to declare an individual as a terrorist.

The bill adds that if the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of such property.

Apart from officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above, the bill empowers officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases.

The bill adds another treaty to the list that defines terrorist acts committed within a scope of treaties listed in a schedule to the Act. This is the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005) will be added with Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979).

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill 2019, which will enable the Central Government to notify an individual as a ‘terriorist’. Speaker Om Birla announced that the Bill was passed with 287 'yes' votes and 8 'no' votes.

During a discussion on the Bill, Home Minister Amit Shah said tough laws were required to end terrorism and asserted that the amendment does not encroach on powers of states. Replying to a spirited debate on the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha, Shah said the BJP-led government will never misuse its provisions.

What is UAPA Bill?

Instead of designating only an organisation as a terrorist organisation, the bill additionally empowers the centre to declare an individual as a terrorist.

The bill adds that if the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of such property.

Apart from officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above, the bill empowers officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases.

The bill adds another treaty to the list that defines terrorist acts committed within a scope of treaties listed in a schedule to the Act. This is the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005) will be added with Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979).