OtherIndia.org

The Chhattisgarh Special Security Act (CSPSA) is a draconian act passed in 2005. The CSPSA dramatically broadens the ambit of what is deemed 'unlawful'. It criminalizes all organizations whose actions may have the merest tendency to disturb public order, and all individuals who have any type of association with such organizations. The CSPSA makes it illegal for the press to even report on activities of organizations deemed unlawful. The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) passed in 1967 and amended in 2004 to include provisions from the dreaded POTA [Prevention of Terrorism Act] greatly increases the State's power to imprison people for extended periods of time without trial and without providing any evidence of guilt. Both these legislations, in the name of combating violent movements, actually target all people's movements, journalists and human rights activists, and all other formations questioning the State's policies.

These laws are increasingly being used to silence voices critical of the government. Activists recently arrested under these draconian laws are Dr. Binayak Sen, Lachit Bordoloi, a human rights activist from Assam, Prashant Rahi, journalist from Uttarkhand; Govindan Kutty, editor of People's March in Kerala; Praful Jha, a hournalist from Chhattisgarh; Vernon Gonsalves, an activist from Nasik; Arun Ferreira, Ashok Reddy and Dhanendra Bhurule, and most recently Ajay TG, another activist with PUCL,  Chhattisgarh.