District Collectors in Naxal-affected Chhattisgarh have been empowered to order preventive detention under the National Security Act to maintain public peace and ward off any possible threat to the security of the state.
The directive, issued last week by Home Department, allows the District Magistrates to exercise powers allocated within sub-section-3 of Section-2 of NSA from July 1 to September 30, an official statement said here today.
"The state government has directed Collectors in all 27 districts to take necessary action under the provisions of National Security Act, 1980 in order to maintain law and order situation," the statement said.
The provision says the Centre or the state government may, if satisfied with respect to any person that with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the state or from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order or from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community it is necessary so to do, make an order directing that such person be detained.
As per the notification, the government has received reports that some anti-social elements are either active or are on the verge to become active to disturb communal harmony, public order and security.
"Keeping in view the same, the government has come to a conclusion that it would be necessary to exercise powers within this Act and hence the Collectors have been authorised with it. If they find anything fishy or suspicious they can take necessary action under it," the statement added.
