Date: 02/01/2023

Relevance: GS-3: Role of External State and Non-state Actors in creating challenges to Internal Security, Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism

Key Phrases: Lakshadweep administration, Section 144, Parali 1 island, smuggling activities , narcotics, section 188, Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation(LDAR) , 2021, Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Regulation, Animal Preservation Regulation, 2021,Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulations, 2021

Why in News?

• Recently, Lakshadweep administration has prohibited entry into 17 of the total 36 islands citing national security and public safety concerns.
• There are 17 uninhabited islands and permission for the entry from the sub-divisional magistrate is required.
• The District Magistrate (DM) of Lakshadweep issued a proclamation under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to prohibit entry.

What are the reasons articulated for prohibition of entry in 17 uninhabited isles?

1. Prevent terrorist or smuggling activities:
   • The decision on the proclamation was taken to prevent terrorist or smuggling activities on the uninhabited Islands.
   • These activities can be carried out under the temporary structures as houses of labourers who harvest coconuts.
2. Increasing number of illegal, anti-social and anti-national activities:
   • The Lakshadweep administration said there are intelligence reports of some people involved in illegal, anti-social and anti-national activities.
3. Terrorists seeking shelter or hideout for hiding weapons or narcotics:
   • There are temporary structures on some uninhabited islands for the purpose of housing labourers to harvest coconuts.
   • This cannot be ruled out that along with these labourers there are persons who engage in illegal, anti-social and anti-national activities such as smuggling, seeking shelter or hideout for hiding weapons or narcotics.
4. Possibility of terror groups vandalising key national institutions:
   • Evidence of terror groups or organisations planning to attack and vandalize important and key institutions of the country and crowded places.
   • Precautionary measures are necessary to dismantle any such unholy plans.
5. Lakshadweep administration warned violators of punishment under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC which provides for a jail-term between one and six months or a fine.

What are the other recent regulations formulated by the Lakshadweep administration?

1. The Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation(LDAR) , 2021:
   • LDAR led to the creation of a Lakshadweep Development Authority (LDA).
   • The regulation defines development as the carrying out of the building, engineering, mining, quarrying, or other operations in, on, over, or under the land.
   • The Lakshadweep Development Authority could acquire any land required for a public purpose.
   • LDAR stipulates that islanders must pay a processing fee for zone changes.
   • LDAR establishes penalties such as imprisonment for obstructing the development work or workers.
2. The Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Regulation (PASA):
   • PASA provides for the administrator to order the detention of a person for a period of up to one year.
   • It can be ordered if the offender’s actions adversely affect the maintenance of public order.
   • Such actions include when a person is a bootlegger, drug offender, immoral traffic offender, property grabber, etc.
   • All these actions are deemed to adversely affect the maintenance of public order.
3. The Animal Preservation Regulation, 2021:
   • Regulation bans the slaughter of cows, calves, bulls, or bullocks.
   • The slaughter of animals, other than cows or bulls, for religious purposes, will require a certificate from the authorities.
4. The Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulations, 2021:
   • It disqualifies people with more than two children from becoming gram panchayat members.
   • However, the law will not disqualify anyone having more than two children if they have been elected before the regulation has been notified.
   • The regulation also provides for the reservation of 50 percent seats in gram panchayats for women.

Conclusion:

• Such regulations are vital to prevent fear and terror among the people through terrorism, violence and the possibility of anti-national, smuggling, illegal and anti-social activities.
• Such regulations proactively prevent attacks on important military and para-military, industrial and religious places of the country, endangering public safety.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question

Q. Security occupies a very central role in the administration of the Lakshadweep. Discuss. Also, highlight the various measures taken by the Lakshadweep administration to address them.( 15 marks).