Act against 'atrocities' on Telangana's Dalits, Congress tells panels

The Congress on Wednesday urged the NHRC and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to direct the Telangana government to take action against police officials allegedly responsible for committing atrocities on Dalits in Karimnagar district.

A delegation of Congress leaders led by All India Congress Committee Secretary R.C. Khuntia met the officials of National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes in New Delhi on the issue.

The delegation, including party MPs from the state, brought to the two commissions' notice the July 2 incident in Nerella village of Rajanna-Sircilla district wherein eight innocent villagers belonging to the Scheduled Castes/Tribes and other backward castes were arrested after a mob set afire three trucks during a protest.

The party alleged that police poured hot water on the private parts and gave electric shocks to the arrested villagers.

On July 31, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar called on the villagers in Karimnagar jail where they said police kept them in illegal custody for four days.

The Congress leaders urged the commissions to direct the Telangana government to register cases under the Scheduled Castes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the district Superintendent of Police and other police officials allegedly responsible for the torture.

They also demanded an independent inquiry by the commissions, and compensation and protection for the villagers.

--IANS

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