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Sunday, Dec 10, 2006
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Attack on weaker sections a disgrace: Manmohan

Special Correspondent

Cells manned by SCs/STs officers mooted

NEW DELHI: Terming continuing atrocities against weaker sections as a "national disgrace in a civilised society," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday suggested that the States consider setting up special cells, manned preferably by officers belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes community, to monitor implementation of laws.

In his address to the Inter-State Council meet here on Saturday evening with focus on atrocities on weaker sections, Dr. Singh said implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act had not been effective as it could have been and that "cases continue to be registered under weaker provisions of the IPC [Indian Penal Code] rather than the stronger provisions of the POA Act. More often than not, the distinction between regular crimes and those covered by the POA Act has not percolated down."

Disturbing incidents

In an apparent reference to the recent Khairlanji killings, the Prime Minister said that in the recent past there have been disturbing incidents and reports of atrocities against SCs and STs in some places.

"It is my perception that there seem to be some areas which are more atrocity prone. There are also shocking reports at times of apathy and a lack of sensitivity in handling the aftermath of such incidents. The figures of atrocities should be a matter of grave national concern for all of us. A disconcerting feature is that some States account for a majority of the incidents of such atrocities," the Prime Minister told the meeting attended by Chief Ministers.

He stressed that laws alone were not sufficient in dealing with social violence and there must be compassion for the victim and a firm resolve to deal with the perpetrator of these crimes. A political will was required to eliminate atrocities the will to enforce law and ensure easy access to police and judicial system to the vulnerable sections.

Dr. Singh said time was ripe for a comprehensive review of the existing approaches, strategies and measures, which were in place so that "we are effective in controlling such incidents and are able to generate a greater sense of security and hope among our weaker sections."

The weaker sections, particularly those who have undergone historic seclusion, must be brought within the fold and allowed to participate and contribute effectively to processes of development.

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