Mumbai.  Maharashtra Bill: Now a new law is going to come to deal with 'Urban Naxals'. The Eknath Shinde government of Maharashtra has also introduced a bill regarding this in the assembly. The name of this bill is 'Maharashtra Special Public Security Act 2024'. If this bill is passed, then it will help in dealing with the growing Naxalism and their threats in urban areas. 

What is the reason for bringing this bill?

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis introduced this bill in the Assembly on Thursday (July 11). He claimed that Naxalism is spreading rapidly not only in Maharashtra but also in many areas. Many different organizations are helping the Naxalites in providing heavy weapons and funding. Fadnavis said that the existing law will not be enough to deal with them. 

For your information, let us tell you that at present there is Public Security Act in these 4 Naxal-affected states and about 48 Naxal organizations have been banned. These four states are Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. 

What will be the punishment?

• As soon as the bill becomes law, the government will have these rights – the government can declare any Naxalite organization illegal.
• Let us tell you that punishment will be given on the basis of four crimes. If anyone is a member of any illegal organization or helps or raises funds for the organization and is involved in any illegal activity, then the accused person can be sentenced to 2 to 7 years in prison. Along with the jail sentence, a fine of 2 to 5 lakhs will also have to be paid.
• At the same time, if found guilty of carrying out any illegal activity, then there will be 7 years of jail and a fine of Rs 5 lakh. Let us tell you that under this law, any person can be arrested even without a warrant and it will be non-bailable. 

How different is this bill from UAPA?

Both the Maharashtra Anti-Naxal Bill and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act give the state the power to designate organisations as "unlawful organisations". Talking about UAPA, if an organisation is banned, only a tribunal headed by a High Court judge can decide on it. On the other hand, the Maharashtra bill will be quite different from this. It will have a three-member advisory board, which will give the decision. 

What would constitute 'unlawful activity'?

According to the Maharashtra bill, this will be included in illegal activities

• which poses a threat or danger to public order, peace and harmony
• which interferes with the maintenance of public order 
• which interferes with the administration of the law or its established institutions and personnel
• Engaging in or promoting violence, vandalism or other such acts
• obstructing or encouraging communication by rail, road, air or water