Punjab: AAP delegation meets DGP over ‘atrocities’ on Dalits

Phoolka demanded a special task force to ensure safety of Dalits. The delegation also met the director, rural development and panchayats, regarding the alleged irregularities in distribution of village common land to Dalits.

A delegation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by leader of Opposition in Punjab assembly HS Phoolka, on Tuesday met director general of police (DGP) Suresh Arora to take up the issue of alleged atrocities on Dalits in the state.

Leader of Opposition in Punjab assembly HS Phoolka (HT Photo)

Phoolka demanded a special task force to ensure safety of Dalits. The delegation also met the director, rural development and panchayats, regarding the alleged irregularities in distribution of village common land to Dalits.

Later addressing the media, Phoolka said there have been numerous instances of atrocities on Dalits during the past decade.

Citing data of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Phoolka said the number of complaints received by the panel increased from 651 in 2007 to a staggering 12,834 during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) regime. “The major cause behind these atrocities is that the rich and mighty backed by political leaders want to deprive Dalits of their rights,” he said.

He added, “Earlier, the goonda elements of villages backed by Aklais used to commit these atrocities. Now, the Congress has started doing the same.”