Bill in UP House to replace ordinance on cow slaughter

A bill was today introduced in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly to replace an ordinance which brought under the Goonda Act crimes like cow slaughter, human trafficking, money laundering and manufacturing of illegal arms.
The state government had promulgated the UP Control of Goonda (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015, barely a fortnight ahead of the Budget Session that began today.
The bill was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Azam Khan.
It seeks to amend the Uttar Pradesh Control of Goonda Act, 1970, by including new sections to bring more crimes in its purview. Earlier, these crimes were treated as cognisable offence.
The Uttar Pradesh Control of Goonda Act defines a goonda as a person, who either by himself or as a member or leader of a gang, habitually commits or attempts to commit, or abets the commission of an offence punishable under Section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) of IPC or has been convicted for an offence punishable under the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956.

Anyone convicted not less than thrice for an offence punishable under the UP Excise Act, 1910, or the Public Gambling Act, 1867 or the Arms Act, 1959, or is considered dangerous to the community is also described as a goonda.
Besides, those habitually passing indecent remarks or teasing women or girls, or is a tout or house-grabber, fall in that category.
Among other provision, the Act allows such a person to be externed by the District Magistrate from the jurisdiction for a period of six months.