The question on misuse of atrocity cases by Dalits who involve in group clashes was raised at the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe monthly grievance meet at the office of the Superintendent of Police in Mangalore on Sunday.
Speaking at the meeting, Dalita Hakkugala Horata Samiti leader Shekhar Laila alleged the police of misusing Dalit atrocity cases. In one of the recent incidents, when Bhajarang Dal members filed a case after a group clash, the police registered the case under Dalit Atrocity Act, he said.
Responding to the complaint, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal said that it is the responsibility of the police to register the case as per the statement of the Dalits who are part of the group clash.
The truth is revealed in the course of interrogation and it is for the same reason ‘B’ report is submitted in 50 per cent of Dalit atrocity cases. “I have no objection if a resolution is taken in the meeting deciding not to book group clash cases under Dalit Atrocity Act,” he said.
However, other Dalit leaders did not favour to take the resolution. Rather they insisted the police to take action in accordance with the law.
One of the Dalit leaders complained that a few schools and colleges are violating the government’s order and are involved in collecting donation from Dalits. “Donation is collected in the name of paying salary to the guest lecturers. An institution went to the extent of failing a student who opposed the demand for donation,” he said.
The SP assured of bringing the issue to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Director of Public Instructions. Action will be taken if the complaint is filed on specific cases, said Goyal.
DSS leader S P Anand raised the issue of improper distribution of 22.75 fund to the beneficiaries.
SC order
In response to a query, Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate Inspector Ananthpadmanabh informed that as per the Supreme Court’s order, there is no provision to provide SC ST certificate to those who have migrated to Karnataka from other states. They could not be offered with the benefits of the State government based on their caste certificate from the State they hail from. However, they can avail the facilities from the Central government through the caste certificate given by the Central government, he informed.
Shekhar Laila questioned the SP as to why the issue of a youth, by name Nagarjuna Sarangimutt who roamed around in Kuthlur claiming that he would become a naxal with the help of 15 supporters, was not considered seriously. In reply, the SP clarified that the issue was not taken lightly. The youth was arrested and an investigation was carried out in the higher level which revealed that he hails from Koppal. He has interviewed the naxals and was roaming around carrying their photographs.