IT News
Imphal, Nov 29:
The Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur chaired a meeting yesterday at the Conference Hall of the Manipur Secretariat (South Block) to review the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (PoA Act) and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1989 (PCR Act). The meeting was also attended by the Director General of Police, Commissioners, and other officers of the Home, OBC & SC, Tribal Affairs & Hills, and Law Departments of the Government of Manipur.
The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act seeks to prevent offenses against members of SCs and STs by criminalising discriminatory behaviours and acts of violence. Similarly, the Protection of Civil Rights Act outlaws practices such as untouchability, ensuring that SCs and STs enjoy the full range of civil rights guaranteed under Article 17 of the Constitution of India (Abolition of Untouchability).
Various issues were discussed during the meeting, including,functioning and strengthening of the SC/ST Protection Cell at the State Police HQ and the Special Police Stations for registering offences under these Acts, functioning and strengthening of the Judicial Machinery such as Special Courts and Exclusive Special Courts for speedy trials of offences registered under these Acts, relief and rehabilitation of atrocity victims, incentive of inter-caste marriages, generating awareness in public and training and sensitisation of public officials.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasised implementation of these Acts in letter and spirit and said that the Home Department will be the appropriate Department to coordinate implementation of CSS related to these Acts, as coordination for prosecution of cases will be easier for the Home Department.
He also directed the TA & Hills Department to submit the Annual Reports to the Ministry at the earliest, and added that review meeting of the implementation of these Acts will be held every 3 months. Hailing the importance of these Acts to maintain the social fabric of India, the Chief Secretary stressed the importance of cooperation between the various stakeholder Departments, Police and District Administration for effective implementation of the provisions given in these Acts.
