Atrocities against Dalits on the rise in Kerala: Commission
- Over 883 cases were reported between June 2016 and April 2017
- As many as 12 murder cases and 155 rape cases were reported during the period
- National Commission said that state government has failed to ensure safety to Dalits
FollowAtrocities against Dalits are increasing in Kerala and over 883 cases reported between June 2016 and April 2017, figures with Crime Records Bureau reveals. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has said that the state government has failed to ensure safety to Dalits in the state.
The Commission was responding to the issue after visiting Govindapuram village in Palakkad district, where Dalits had been allegedly subjected to untouchability.
L Murugan, the vice chairman of the commission, said that the panel has been receiving lots of complaint of atrocities especially against Dalit women and as per the records with the Crime records Bureau as many as 12 murder cases and 155 rape cases were reported between June 2016 and April 2017, he said.
Murugan said that there were complaints about diversion of funds meant for the Scheduled Castes. He also went to some villages in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district.
"The state government has failed to ensure protection for Dalits, especially for Scheduled Caste (SC) women. The state government should take necessary steps to ensure safety the SC people. Lack of timely action by the government may lead to insecurity in the minds of Dalits, he said.
Murugan also asked the state government to ensure basic amenities for Dalits across the state. "The condition of SC colonies in the state is bad. I visited some such places, including the Ambedkar colony in Govindapuram and areas in Muvattupuzha," he said.
Basic amenities, including proper housing and drinking water, were lacking in such colonies, Murugan said, adding that in many places there was not even space for performing last rites of Dalits.
