No need to revive POTA, says Prime Minister
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday rejected the BJP’s demand that the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) be revived after the blasts in Jaipur.
"What has POTA achieved—there is no dearth of law in the country to deal with terrorism,” said Singh. The terrorist attacks on Parliament and Akshardham temple in Ahmedabad occurred when POTA was in operation, he said.
India would raise the issue of terrorism with Pakistan at the forthcoming meeting of Foreign Ministers. "All issues which have a bearing on our relations will come up at the meeting," Singh said in reply to questions on who was behind the blasts.
The BJP has alleged that the UPA Government’s "soft, weak and apathetic" policies had encouraged terrorism. "The UPA Government, which will shortly complete four years in office, has such a dismal record in discharging this responsibility that it instills no confidence whatsoever," said party leader L K Advani.
The UPA Government has "failed" to investigate and punish the guilty in any of the terror attacks that have taken place in the last four years.
This failure "is mainly due to the soft, weak and apathetic approach of a government that is unwilling to summon the requisite political will to mount a comprehensive attack on terrorism for fear of losing its vote-bank.”
The "role and responsibility" of the Central Government in dealing with terrorism is much more than that of any state government, said Advani.

Basker: NO POTA because BJP wants it. Have some concern PM and try and protect Indians by some bloody law and you may call it anything. Shame you are also like any ordinary politician and not a statesman. Fact remains that Congress wants Muslim votes and for your survival you are sacrificing innocent lives. What will make you to act?
( Posted: Thursday , May 15, 2008 at 02:40 )

Kapil: Breaking News. We need more people to be killed to justify POTA, this isnt enough, we are thinking of another LAW, but this can be implimented only if you vote us back to power, or you have to pay the price till then.Honorable P M of IN.....
( Posted: Thursday , May 15, 2008 at 01:42 )

Bala: As long as Sonia is in power no law really matters...What justice can she do for victims if she herself is reluctant to punish the guilty of her husband's killers and people who came to see her husband on that fateful day??Scrap entire law.We dont need any law in the country going by the same logic.MMS can start his hibernation.Only a few incidents like this make him comment on the issues.
( Posted: Thursday , May 15, 2008 at 00:30 )

Kuldeep: This Goverment is very weak and not able to take any strong decision....We need BJP back and we can kick the terrorists out of this countries..I agree BJP is full of Hard liners but thats what is requried to move this country ahead..Now since we are economically strong we should take good decisions on Kashmir and Terrorists issues. Bring BJP Back...People are not getting the point that why a external person will think of our nation pride and security...I mean Sonia Gandhi..I am staying in US for some time now ..even if I stay here for next 30 years I will never care about this country more then my own..
( Posted: Thursday , May 15, 2008 at 00:26

K.Venugopal: The PM’s justification that even with POTA Parliament attack and Akshardham happened is ridiculous. POTA or any other laws would hardly act as a preventive measure, given that the motivation of such bombers are deep rooted. The merit in POTA is that it would be easier to pursue the suspects and obtain incarceration without the loophole of quick bail and escape.