By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh is going to be the first state in the country to have established special courts in every district for ensuring conviction of accused in cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Except Singrauli district, all districts are having special courts. The Chief Minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave instructions to establish special court at Singrauli within a week. The Union Government has praised the special initiative of Madhya Pradesh.
This was informed at a meeting of state level scheduled castes and tribes vigilance and monitoring committee for prevention of atrocities here today. Mr. Chouhan reviewed the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (prevention of atrocities) Act in districts.
Addressing the meeting Mr. Chouhan gave instructions to regularly hold the meetings of district level vigilance and monitoring committees and asked the authorities to seek explanation from collectors of the districts where such meetings have not been held. It was informed that Umaria is the only district where such meetings have not taken place.
The Chief Minister gave instructions to speed up disposal of pending cases relating to atrocities against the families belonging Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes saying that legal procedures should be accomplished timely for ensuring conviction of the culprits. It was informed that incidence of atrocities has declined in last four years. He instructed the officers concerned to immediately provide relief to the suffering families. In cases of delay, the officials responsible will have to face action, he added.
In respect of appointment of prosecutors on the choice of suffering families, it was informed that opinion of the Department of Law has been sought. Posting of investigation offices in Datia, Rajgarh, Narsinghpur, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Sidhi, Umaria, Shahdol, Satna, Morena and Balaghat is underway. Notifications for establishment of police stations for Scheduled Castes in Singrauli and Alirajpur have been issued. ([email protected])