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Title : Need to implement Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Civil Liberties Act in letter and sprit.
DR. MANDA JAGANNATH (NAGARKURNOOL): Parliament had enacted the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. It specifies offences which are considered as atrocities and provides for deterrent punishments for commission of the same. Comprehensive Rules were also framed under the Act which among other things provides for relief and rehabilitation of the affected people.
The crimes against Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes like murder, hurt, rape, kidnapping & abduction, dacoity, robbery, arson and grabbing lands of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are increasing year after year in spite of having (i) Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955; (ii) the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 in force.
If we look at the number of crimes committed against SCs from 2004 to 2008, it is seen that in 2004 it was 26887 which increased to 33,615 in 2008, having a variation of 11.9%. This is all because of non-implementation of the above Acts in letter and spirit. Though there is punitive clauses in the Act yet because of pressure from the offenders, politicians and apathy from the police officials in filing the cases, the Acts are not being properly used and the offenders are going scot free.
Through you Madam, I request the Government of India to implement the POA Act and Civil Liberties Act strictly and punish the culprits.