JK News Today
Jammu, July 14:
Demanding extension of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, passed by Indian Parliament, to Jammu and Kashmir -the Gujjars- a main tribal community today pleaded that with the implementation of this Act in the State , cultural , fundamental and socio-economic and political rights of weaker sections can be protected.
The community member were speaking in programme organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation on the Topic ‘Tribal of J&K state’. The Programme was presided over by noted Tribal researcher Dr. Javaid Rahi while a number of scholar also participated in the discussion.
“To provide social equality, speedy justice to the tribal of Jammu and Kashmir , the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, passed by Parliament in amended form, may be extended to J&K added that thorough this J&K tribal get the rights enjoyed by the tribes in other states. Such provision, if extended to J&K, could not only prevent atrocities, discrimination, harassment against the SCs, STs, but will provide legal safeguard against anti-tribal forces” he added.
The Act which was passed recently by Lok Sabha and Rajya Saba in amended form and sent to President of India for nod is a law made to protect the life and dignity of tribal communities across India. However, this Act was not made applicable to the tribes of J&K by virtue of the state’s special status. They appealed President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Governor N N Vohra to intervene in the matter to protect their safety, equality and tribal rights.
The speakers said to establish a bias free society this Act or similar Act is requires in J&K. He said for dispensation of justice, liberalise and ensuring special sensitivity in cases of offences against tribal and Dalits this Act should must be extend in J&K in too too.
The speaker said such Act can prevent SC/ ST s from Social , political and economic exploitation . He further said that the offences of atrocities are committed to humiliate and subjugate the SCs and STs with a view to keep them in a state of servitude can be removed only with some new provisions which constitute a separate class of offences and cannot be compared with offences under the Indian Penal Code,
The Act provides provisions of criminal law and liability for a number of specifically defined atrocities, and extends the scope of certain categories of penalizations given in the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Further it contains provisions for relief and compensation for victims of atrocities. Third , the Act contains provisions that establish special authorities for the implementation and monitoring of the Act.
Those who participated in discussion include Ishtiaq Mibah, Mohammad Shrief , Ghulam Ali, Khadam Hussain, Bashier Choudhary
