SC/ST atrocities: States told to prioritise setting up special

Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot today asked states to accord high priority to establishing special courts to try cases of atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Gehlot emphasized on timely completion of the probe and filing of charge sheets in such cases.
The minister for social justice and empowerment today chaired a meeting to review the implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act and the Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act.
He expressed concern over the growing cases of atrocities against SCs and STs and asked states to contain them in an effective manner, a ministry statement read.

"Establishment of special courts should be accorded high priority by all states," Gehlot said.
At a meeting on the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use, the minister urged states to support the implementation agencies.
The ministry had in August 2016 tasked the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS, with conducting the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India. The report is expected by March.