City-based human rights organisation, Peoples Watch, has condemned the attack against Dalits by caste Hindus and also demanded action against perpetrators who practice untouchability under various sections of the Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989.
In a release issued by its executive director Henri Tipaghne on Tuesday, the organization has made the following demands to the district administration and police authorities. Various practices of untouchability such as two-tumbler system in tea shops and denial of permission to ride two-wheelers on public pathways should be eradicated completely by taking stringent action.
Since the village has many forms of untouchability, the administration under SC/ST POA, 1989 should declare the village as prone to atrocities and take necessary action. Externment powers under Sections 11, 12, 13, of SC/ST POA ACT should be used against members of dominant caste who are most likely to commit an offence because Dalits, a minority in the village, are living under perennial fear that they could be attacked at any point of time.
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Mr. Tiphagne opined that externment power has been underutilised by the State and it should be used in cases such as this to protect the oppressed. The organisation appreciated the police officials for taking immediate action against the perpetrators of untouchability. Efforts like this to exterminate caste-based atrocities are needed and this could instil confidence among the Dalits and oppressed about the State machinery.