'SC should restore earlier SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act'

A correspondent

Haflong, April 4: With the demand for the Supreme Court to review its earlier order and to restore the earlier SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 and 2016 respectively in the greater interest of SC/ST people of India, the Dima Hasao DCC (I) submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao on Wednesday. The memorandum stated that the Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 was implemented with a view to end atrocities against the SCs/STs of India and for ensuring social justice as well as safeguarding their constitutiol rights.

 “This act containing six chapters was amended and re-implemented in 2016, so that the constitutiol rights and other benefits granted by the government to the SC/ST communities could not be infringed. But it is quite unfortute that the Supreme Court, which is the custodian of the fundamental rights, has reduced the powers of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 and 2016. The recent order of the Supreme Court will not be able to provide adequate protection of the SC/ST communities,” the memorandum stated.

 “The Supreme Court of India has given a judgment on March 20 that the case of Subhash Kashith Mahajan v/s State of Maharashtra has caused distress among SC/STs as it will make it more difficult for them to protect themselves from atrocities. We believe that the Additiol Solicitor General (ASG) representing the Central Government failed to defend the rights of the SC/STs in the Supreme Court for want of proper guidance from the Central Government. The Supreme Court has now ordered that a prelimiry inquiry may be conducted by the DSP concerned to find out whether the allegation make out a case under the Atrocities Act and that the allegation are not frivolous motivated. Arrest of public servant who is alleged to have committed any crime and atrocity against SC/STs can only be made after approval of the appointing authority and of a non-public servant after approval by the SSP,” it further stated. These guidelines of the Supreme Court literally make the Act ineffective in safeguarding the SC/STs from atrocities, it added.