Why in News?

Government today has declared the following eighteen more individuals as designated terrorists, under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (as amended in 2019) and included their names in the Fourth Schedule of the Act.

Key Facts

• Reinforcing the commitment of strengthening national security and its policy of zero tolerance to terrorism.
• This is based on the amendment made in 2019.
• Central Government designated four individuals in September, 2019 and nine individuals in July, 2020 as terrorists.
• These individuals are involved in various acts of terrorism from across the border and have been relentless in their nefarious efforts of destabilizing the country.

About Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act

• The Act provides special procedures to deal with terrorist activities, among other things.
• Designation under terrorism : Central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation if it
  • Commits or participates in acts of terrorism
  • Prepares for terrorism
  • Promotes terrorism
  • Otherwise involved in terrorism
• Empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds.
• Seizure of property
  • An investigating officer is required to obtain the prior approval of the Director General of Police to seize properties that may be connected with terrorism.
  • 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.
• Investigation Agency
  • Investigation of cases may be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above
  • Also empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases.
• Schedule of treaties
  • Schedule lists nine treaties, including the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979).
  • Also the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005). 

Source : PIB

GS III : Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

Current Affairs Compilation : 28 October 2020