The Centre, while expressing deep concern over crimes against the weaker sections of society, on Friday advised all states and Union territories to ensure that there is no under reporting of crimes and offences against people from the Scheduled Tribe/Scheduled Caste (SC/ST) community and that their law-enforcement machinery is properly sensitised towards such crimes.
In a letter to the chief secretaries and administrators of all states and UTs, the home ministry asked them to enforce the special laws for prevention, detection and control of offences against the SCs/STs vigorously and conscientiously and ensure training, conferences and workshops in this regard for police officers at all levels.
The MHA communication to the states/UTs followed the June 9 national review meeting of the committee constituted to devise ways and means to curb untouchability and atrocities against the members of the SC/ST communities through effective implementation of special laws such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. This was the committee’s 26th meeting.
Enlisting the steps for “urgent action” by the states and UTs, the home ministry asked the latter to ensure proper enforcement of law and conviction in crimes committed against the SCs/STs. “Enforcement agencies should be instructed in unambiguous terms that enforcement of the rights of the weaker and vulnerable sections should not be downplayed,” it said in the letter to the states.
Emphasising on sensitising the police force towards crimes against SCs/STs, the MHA said programmes with suitable content in this regard should be incorporated in the syllabi of various police training centres and academies.
Underlying the two recent amendments made to the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act – first in 2015, adding offences such as tonsuring of head etc, and second in 2018 whereby conduct of preliminary enquiry before registration of an FIR, or approval of any authority to arrest an accused, is no longer required.
“The police officials should be directed to apply the appropriate sections of law as per the statements of the victims under the above-mentioned Act(s) and no dilution should be allowed,” the home ministry told the states/UTs.
The Centre also sought concrete steps to increase the awareness within the administration in general and amongst the police personnel in particular, regarding crimes against the SCs/STs and also to deal with such offences with sensitivity.
Cautioning against any delay in the registration of the FIR, the ministry sought proper supervision at appropriate level right from the recording of the FIR to the disposal of the case by the competent court. Any delays in investigation beyond 60 days from filing of the FIR, it said, should be monitored at the district and state level every three months.
Proper follow up of reports of cases of atrocities against SCs/STs received from various sources, including the National Commission for SCs/STs, should be undertaken, the MHA said adding that adequate number of police personnel, fully equipped with policing infrastructure, should be posted in the police stations in areas where the SC/ST community may be vulnerable.
Delay in trial of cases of crimes against the SCs/STs may be reviewed on a regular basis in the monitoring committee/monthly meetings chaired by district and sessions judge attended by district magistrate, SP and public prosecutor of the district.
