Expressing serious concern over crimes against the oppressed sections, particularly Dalits, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has in an advisory to the States/Union Territories called for identifying areas prone to atrocities against Dalits and for deploying adequate manpower/infrastructure to protect the life and property of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.
Where no progress was seen in the investigation of cases registered under the SCs and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for more than 60 days, special officers in the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police should be appointed to expedite the probe. There should be no delay in registration of First Information Report (FIR) in such cases, it said.
Emphasising the need for vigorous enforcement of the statutory provisions and laws relating to offences against SC/ STs, the Ministry said the administration and the police should play a more proactive role in detection and investigation of crimes to ensure there was no under-reporting.
