HAFLONG, April 9 - In protest against the deliberate attempt by the BJP Government to dilute the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 1989 and atrocities committed upon the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Caste communities of India, the Dima Hasao District Congress Committee staged a sit-in demonstration in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao here today.
The dharna was participated in by the Dima Hasao District Congress (I) president Nirmal Langthasa along with all the Congress party�s well-wishers and members of District Mahila Congress, Seva Dal etc.
They demanded review of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 1989 and to stop atrocities committed upon the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Caste communities of India, while strongly criticising the BJP-led Government for its anti-tribal attitude.
Joel Sengyung, chairman of DCC(I) Legal Cell while talking to the media said that the Supreme Court in a judgement on March 20 last observed that in the case of Subhash Kashinath Mahajan vs State of Maharashtra has caused distress among SC/STs as it will make it more difficult to protect themselves from atrocities. We believe that the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) representing the Central Government has failed to defend the rights of the SC/STs for want of proper guidance from the Central Government.
The Supreme Court has now ordered that a preliminary inquiry be conducted by the DSP concerned to find out whether the allegation makes out a case under the Atrocities Act and that the allegation is not frivolous or motivated. Arrest of a public servant who is alledged to have committed any crime and atrocity against SC/STs can only be made after approval of the appointing authority and of a non-public servant after approval by the SSP.
These guidelines of the Supreme Court literally makes the Act ineffective in safeguarding the SC/STs from atrocities, it added.
