Curb atrocities against SCs, minister tells states

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot on Friday asked all states and union territories to ensure that perpetrators of atrocities on the Scheduled Castes are brought to book expeditiously.

He also said that the victims too should be appropriately compensated.

"... all states and UTs should tackle incidents of atrocities against the Scheduled Castes but also ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book expeditiously and the victims appropriately compensated," Gehlot said during a meeting of principal secretaries of social welfare departments of states/UTs here on Friday.

The minister emphasised that the government had made amendments in the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, making some of its provisions more stringent and also enhancing the quantum of relief to the victims.

"I call upon the states and UTs to implement the act in letter and spirit so that atrocities against the SCs are curbed," he said.

Gehlot said the states should expedite implementation of the amended Act and work to generate awareness and sensitise police and other officers about its provisions.

Expressing concern over the practice of manual scavenging, the minister said it has to be eradicated from the country on a war footing. He urged the states to work towards eradication of this inhuman practice on priority basis.

--IANS

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