Dalit bodies demand for review of PoA Act in State

BHUBANESWAR: “None of the district administration is reviewing the implementation of the SCs and STs [PoA] Act 1989 and Rules 1995 so far excluding one district in the State,” said General Secretary of National Dalit Movement for Justice Sirivella Prasad at a Press meet here on Saturday expressing grave concern on dalit atrocities in Odisha.

The dalit bodies said the dalit atrocity cases are increasing in State as recently many heinous crimes including Pipili gang rape case, burning of 44 dalit houses in Lathore village of Balangir district, burning of 29 dalit houses in Kamadhenu Khot of Dhenkanal district along with the denial of temple entry to dalits in the coastal regions have taken place. Among them the children and women are the worst affected, the members added.

The members of dalit bodies demanded the Government should take immediate steps to stop attacks and intimidation of dalits as case pending rate in 2009 comes to 89.1 per cent, appoint high level committees at the State to review the implementation of the Act and also speedy action for strengthening the Act.

They also demanded to publish a white paper on the status of atrocities and implementation of the provisions of the PoA Act and Rules in the State of Odisha and to establish exclusive special courts to ensure speedy justice to the victims.

Among others, convener of Odisha Forum for Social Action Ajay Kumar Singh, NGO core group member of NHRC Baghambar Patnaik, State Coordinator of NCDHR Adikanda Singh, social activist Jugal Kishore Ranjit and the victim of Lathore village Janaki Jeevan Suna were present.