JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) staged a protest here today against the assault on a Dalit youth in Ramnagar a few days ago and alleged that atrocities against SCs and STs have increased in the state.
"There has been an increase in atrocities against Dalits across the country as well as in the state. A few days ago, a youth belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, Bishan Das, was brutally attacked in a Ramnagar temple," JKNPP chairman Harsh Dev Singh said.
"Despite the innocent youth having been assaulted, abused and mercilessly beaten by anti-social elements inside a temple at Rasli Thakrai village of Ramnagar tehsil, the police have slapped only minor offences against them because of political patronage enjoyed by the criminals.
"We want registration of a case against the culprits under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act," he said. He alleged that the accused were BJP workers and were operating under the patronage of the local MLA. Singh alleged that there has been a rise in atrocities against the "marginalised communities" ever since the BJP-led NDA assumed charge at the Centre.