Indian cabinet approves terror law

The Indian cabinet has approved new legislation to combat terrorism which makes it compulsory to pass information about terrorist activities to the authorities.

The law, which will now be sent to the president for approval, defines acts threatening national unity as terrorism - as well as acts terrorising the population.

It also sets guidelines for arrest, interrogation and investigation.

The legislation will replace an earlier law, the Terrorism and Disruptive Activities Prevention Act, which was criticised by human rights activists but which the Indian authorities say was ineffective.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service