The assembly had passed the bill on November 5, 2007 but it was defeated in the upper house and referred to a select committee.

The government had reintroduced the bill in the assembly on Tuesday, which was passed by the lower house.

Opposing the bill, Samajwadi Party member Ambika Choudhury said the Act will target opponents of the BSP and alleged that even those supporting the bill will not be spared in the future.

“The Tamil leader Vaiko had supported POTA bill in the parliament during NDA regime, and he became its first victim. He remained in jail for over two years,” said the SP leader. “The same fait awaits BSP leaders who are supporting the controversial legislation.”

She said when the bill was pending before the select committee of Upper House, there was no need for the Mayawati government to pass it in the lower house again. The SP leader said although there was no need for such an Act, even if the government persisted, it should at least incorporate 75 amendments suggested by the legislative council.

On February 12, the state government had informed the state assembly about the delay on part of the Upper House to pass the UPCOCA and had indicated its plans to move a resolution to turn it into an Act.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Lalji Verma said since the legislation passed by the Assembly was pending with the Legislative Council for over three months, the government was forced to reintroduce the bill again in the assembly.

The SP members protested the move and termed it an attempt to interfere with the working of the upper house.

The UPCOCA has been drafted on lines of Maharashtra Control Of Organised Crime Act, giving additional powers to the state to curb organised crime.

While introducing the Bill on October 31, 2007, Chief Minister Mayawati had said it would primarily deal with contract killers, kidnappers, gun-totting contractors, hawala traders, enemies of economic structure, fake drug traffickers and the liquor Mafiosi.