The lethargic attitude of police is to be blamed for the attack on dalits at Dharmapuri, charged National SC commission members Latha Priyakumar and Sivanna.
After a review meeting with Collector VK Shanmugam here on Monday, the commission members said that though the inter-caste marriage couple sought the DIG’s help police did not provide protection to them.
At the time of violence, just 12 cops were present in the area.
Hence, the commission recommended action against the cops and the DSP.
Dharmapuri and Dindigul incidents have exposed that the caste Hindus could not tolerate dalits’ rise in economic status and hence the attacks in both the places.
In general, though awareness was increasing still stigmas like two tumbler system and other kinds of atrocities against dalits continue in various parts of the state.
Though some political parties opposed and holding campaigns against inter-caste marriage, there actions were not aimed at dalits alone. If they act in such a way, then action would be taken against them, the members warned.
Anyone booked under the SC/ST Act and got acquitted in the cases continuously, then the actions of the public prosecutor could be questioned.
Following reports, in many cases, said that the witnesses turned hostile, the commission has recommended hike in their allowance for visiting courts and depose in the case.
The fund, allotted by the Centre for dalits’ welfare, should be spent for the targeted population only. Some departments diluted the fund or diverted it for other purposes.
The commission would hold a state-level review in this regard by January, they informed.