Atrocities against Dalits on rise in Bihar

There has been a gradual rise in the number of atrocities against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in Bihar in the last four years, police records say giving a lie to the government’s claim that they have been checked.

There has been a gradual rise in the number of atrocities against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in Bihar in the last four years, police records say giving a lie to the government’s claim that they have been checked.

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In fact, atrocities against SC/STs have not only increased during the past four years, but also 2,766 such cases are pending in different courts till September, 2008.

The data received from police headquarters states that since the year 2005, in which the the Nitish Kumar led NDA government came to power in the state, atrocities against SC/STs have seen an upward trend.

While altogether 2006 fresh cases were lodged till September, 2008, 1932 cases were registered in 2007, 1729 in 2006 and 1572 in 2005.

The government recently claimed that the introduction of the speedy trial mechanism, including setting up of a Mahadalit Commission, have reduced the number of cases of atrocities against them.

Till September last year, 2006 cases including seven of murder, 20 cases of rape, 22 of grievous injury and 14 of arson,and 110 cases under the Atrocities on SC/ST were lodged.