Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 14: Demanding extension of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, passed by Indian Parliament, to Jammu and Kashmir, the Gujjars- a 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 members 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 Dr Javaid Rahi while a number of scholars 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 through 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 Sabha 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 Satya Pal Malik 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.
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).
Prominent among those who participated in discussion include Ishtiaq Misbah, Mohammad Shrief, Ghulam Ali, Khadam Hussain and Bashir Choudhary.
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