HYDERABAD: “There was a progression in the use of regressive acts by the state,” said social activist Teesta Setalvad while delivering a talk on the dangerous implications of Gujarat Internal Security Act.
“There has been a misuse of POTO and POTA. There are a lot of undertrials under POTA in the jails of Gujarat awaiting a legal trial,” the activist said. She also condemned the proposals for surveillance and non bailable cognizable offences mentioned in the Act.
“With the Act being implemented, people could be picked up by the police without any accountability,” she said.She said that land acquisition laws were being overturned under Modi, adding that Maharashtra, Gujarat and Jharkhand have passed laws in connection to this which are even worse than the proposed ordinance. Setalvad said that journalism had been affected by it’s relationship with markets.