Time ideal to amend UAPA: rights group

It cites reduction in violent incidents including left–wing extremism

A New Delhi–based rights group has called for an amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, or UAPA, following the partial withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland on March 31.

The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) said the reduction in violent incidents, including left–wing extremism besides the Centre’s move on the AFSPA makes it ideal for UAPA to be amended.

The 2019–2020 report of the Ministry of Home Affairs reported a 41% reduction in overall violent incidents in the country and a 49% reduction in left–wing extremism in 2019 compared to 2013. The report also recorded a drop of 70% in incidents of insurgency, 78% in casualties of security forces personnel and 80% in civilian deaths.

“This makes the case for amendments of the provisions of UAPA, especially relating to bail under its Section 43 that takes away the discretion provided to a court or a judge,” RRAG’s director Suhas Chakma said on Wednesday.  

Based on the data of the National Crime Records Bureau from 2015 to 2020, the RAAG said Manipur had the most UAPA cases (1,965) followed by Jammu and Kashmir (1,163), Assam (923), Jharkhand (501) and Uttar Pradesh (385). Manipur also topped in the maximum number of arrests (2,383) followed by Uttar Pradesh (1,758), Assam (1,052), Jammu and Kashmir (851) and Bihar (606).

“The fact that U.P. with no State–specific designated banned organisation has arrested more people under the UAPA than Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand, exposes the abuse of the UAPA,” Mr. Chakma said.