The Hindu : National : NHRC chief writes to Manmohan, CMs on atrocities against SCs

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Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004

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NHRC chief writes to Manmohan, CMs on atrocities against SCs

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 19. The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Justice A.S. Anand, has written to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and the Chief Ministers to prepare an action plan to prevent "untouchability" and atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs). Mr. Justice Anand has also written to the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission and 13 Union Ministers to implement the recommendations of the Report on Prevention of Atrocities Against the SCs, which include identifying the areas prone to atrocity and untouchability and preparing an action plan. He has also asked Dr. Singh to institute an appropriate mechanism to monitor the steps taken to prevent atrocities against the SCs.

Addressing a press conference after releasing the report here today, Mr. Justice Anand said the results of the Prevention of SC/ST Atrocities Act, seeking punishment to the offenders, had been poor because of the lopsided implementation of the Act and lack of political will to deal with the situation.

The main reason for the continuing atrocities against the vulnerable sections was the indifference of society and its refusal to change its mindset to solve the problem. He had written to the Central and State Governments to implement the important recommendations of the report prepared by the former IAS officer, K. B. Saxena.

Mr. Justice Anand said that while some States had acknowledged the letter and promised to take appropriate action on the recommendations, some had instructed the Ministries and Secretaries concerned to implement them.

Special courts

He asked the States to set up exclusive special courts to try offences relating to atrocities against these sections of people and to have a three-tier training programme for police and civil functionaries; conduct annual workshops for the District Magistrates and the Superintendents of Police on implementation of laws in this regard and to sensitise the panchayats on issues concerning the SCs and the Denotified Tribes.

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