Definitions

In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,— (1) “anti-social” means a person who,— (a) is generally reputed to be desperate and dangerous to the community : Provided that a person shall not be deemed to be desperate and dangerous to the community only because of his participation in democratic movement, trade union activities, labour or peasent movement ; or (b) either by himself or as a member or leader of a gang, habitually commits or attempts to commit or abets the commission of offences punishable under Chapter XVI, Chapter XVII or Chapter XXII of the Indian Penal Code, 1860; or (c) has been convicted under the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956; or (d) has been convicted not less than twice under the Bengal Excise Act, 1909 as extended to the State of Tripura; or (e) has been convicted under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954; or (f) has been convicted for offences of gambling, black marketing or illegal money lending by any criminal court; or (g) either by himself or as an agent of any person act or deal with any essential commodity in a manner which is prejudicial to the maintenance or supplies and services essential to the life of the community ; (2) “essential commodities” means any essential commodity as defined in the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and include such other thing as may be declared by the State Government by a notification to be essential for the life of the community ; (3) “prescribed” means prescribed by any order or rule made under this Act ; (4) “protected place” means a place declared under section 14 to be a protected place ; (5) “protected area” means an area declared under section 15 to be protected area ; (6) “public servant” includes any public servant as defined in the Indian Penal Code and any servant of any local authority or railway administration and any person engaged in any employment or class of employment which the State Government may, from time to time, declare to be employment or class of employment essential to the life of the community ; (7) “subversive act” means any act which is intended or is likely — (a) to endanger — (i) communal harmony, or (ii) the safety or stability of the State ; (b) to organise, further or help the illegal acquisition, possession or use of— (i) arms, ammunition or military stores as defined in the Arms Act, 1959 ; (ii) explosive substances as defined in the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, or (iii) corrosive substances ; (c) to prejudice the recruiting of, or the attendance of persons for service in, any police force or fire brigade or any other body of persons entered, enrolled or engaged as public servants or to tamper with the loyalty of such persons ; (d) to impede, delay or restrict— (i) any means of transport or locomotion necessary for the production, procurement, supply or distribution of any essential commodity, except in furtherance of an industrial dispute as defined in the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Explanation—(i) Acts bonafide indicating disapprobation of the policy or measures of the Government with a view to obtaining their alteration by lawful means shall not be deemed to be acts which are intended or are likely to endanger the safety or stability of the State. (ii) The illegal acquisition, storage or movement of an essential commodity shall be deemed to be an act which is intended and is likely to impede, delay and restrict the operation necessary for the procurement, supply and distribution of such commodity for the purposes of sub-clause (d).