SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act
Daily average of
crimes registered under the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act is 93
crimes. In comparison, the conviction rate is a mere 30 %, with over 80% of
atrocity cases pending trial each year.
New Delhi, 25
Oct 12:
25 October, 2012, Delhi: On November 26, 2012, it will be 63 years when the
Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India. “A range of
advancements across spheres in this period notwithstanding, the lot the Dalits
and Adivasis in the country has not improved” stated Dr Prasad Sirivella, General Secretary, National Dalit Movement for Justice. Speaking
about the abysmal failure of the system, he added that even after 63 years, Dr. Ambekar’s
vision of equality and non-discrimination remains unfulfilled. He pointed out
that while the National Crime Records Bureau
(NCRB) shows that between 1995 and 2007 the average number of crimes registered
under the SCs and STs Prevention of Atrocities Act (PoA) 1989 was 33956,
bringing the daily average to 93 crimes, the average conviction rate during
the same period was only 30.3 percent. “It is significant that over 80% of
atrocity cases are pending trial each year, despite the creation of Special
Courts to ensure the speedy trial of such cases,” he emphasized
Commenting on this, Dr Vimal Thorat, Convenor, All India
Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch stated that, “Dalit and Adivasi women are
particularly vulnerable to violence committed against them as they often find
themselves targeted for atrocities directed at themselves, their families
and/or their communities, with little hope for justice in the aftermath.”
In
this connection, it was also pointed out by Mr.Paul Diwakar of the National
Campaign on Dalit Human Rights that “with atrocities and rampant discrimination getting intensified, the Dalits’ and Adivasis’
assertiveness to claim their rightful places in the nation too has grown.”
Speaking
on behalf of the National Coalition for
Strengthening the SCs/STs Prevention of Atrocities Act (NCSPA) comprising
around 150 NGOs from 18 states of India, Manjula Pradeep, Executive Director,
Navsarjan Trust, Gujarat urged the government to put a stop to these heinous
crimes by amending and effectively enforcing the SCs and STs (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act 1989 (POA). “The time has come to review and assess the POA Act
and strengthen affirmative action policy of the state”, she added
In
fact, to commemorate 63rd year of the Constitution, the National Coalition for Strengthening the SCs/STs Prevention of Atrocities
Act (NCSPA) is spearheading a
Mass Rally with 63000 Dalits and Adivasis at Ram Lila grounds
in New Delhi on 23rd November 2012. “Our rallying call is ‘Chalo
Delhi’ for a National Dalit and Adivasi Sammelan,” stated Beena J
Pallical of the Coalition.
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