Current Affairs Question - 07 November 2019

Explanation :

• On 5^th November, 2091, President gave his assent to the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GCTOC) Bill, a controversial anti-terror legislation passed by the BJP-ruled state in March 2015.
• The bill, earlier named as the Gujarat Control of Organised Crime (GUJCOC) Bill, was first proposed in 2003, on the lines of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA)
• It was rejected twice during the years in power of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA).Former presidents A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and PratibhaPatil had rejected the bill, objecting to the clause of telephonic interception as evidence.
• It defines a terrorist act, as an act committed with the intention to disturb law and order or threaten the unity, integrity, and security of the state.
• One of the key features of the new Act is intercepted telephonic conversations, which would now be considered as legitimate
• It also provides for the creation of a special court as well as the appointment of special public prosecutors.
• Other provisions of the act include the admissibility of confession made before a police officer as evidence.

Impact

• It will help in curbing terrorism, will enhance Gujarat’s security cover at state and national level and will also strengthen the police force.
• It will help in tightening the safety and security of Gujarat’s coastline of 1,600 kilometer.

Explanation :

• Tonga is a Polynesian sovereign state and archipelago, is located in the Ring of Fire area of Pacific Ocean. It comprises 169 islands, of which 36 are inhabited.
• It is surrounded by Fiji and Wallis and Futuna to the northwest, Samoa to the northeast, Niue to the east, Kermadec (part of New Zealand) to the southwest, and New Caledonia and Vanuatu to the west.
• It is sub-divided into five administrative divisions: Eua, Haʻapai, Niuas, Tongatapu, and Vavaʻu.
• The largest island is the Tongatapu, on which the capital city of Nukuʻalofa is located.
• Geologically the Tongan islands are of two types: most have a limestone base formed from uplifted coral formations; others consist of limestone overlaying a volcanic base.