Atrocities against SCs/STs increase in state

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Bhubaneswar: The Ambedkar Lohia Vichar Manch (ALVM) organised a state-level tribunal on violence against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
SCs and STs constitute nearly 40 per cent of the state’s population, and there is an increase in atrocities against them in Odisha, ALVM said.
ALVM claims that the state continues to suffer caste and ethnic violence, with gender and age remaining significant factors in facing threats and violence.
As per the data of NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau), atrocities against SCs and STs substantially increased in the state in the last five years.
The SCs are relatively more likely to suffer atrocities than the STs. The atrocities are mostly rapes, murders, burning of houses, mob attacks, physical and mental torture and destruction of crops.
According to the reply given in an RTI plea filed by ALVM, sources at the SC and ST Development Department said that violence against SC and ST women has been increasing. For example, rape doubled in five years from 1,025 in 2010 to 2,286 in 2015.
The national conviction rate in crimes against SCs and STs are 25 per cent and 20 per cent respectively, but Odisha’s conviction rate is just 3 per cent and 5 per cent.
Justice is being not only delayed in Odisha, but was also being denied, said AMVM President Sangram Mallick.
Speaking to Orissa POST, he said, “We want the people to know how ineffective the justice system is. We organised this tribunal to create awareness about the atrocities. We have also made recommendations to the government on how to reduce crimes against SCs and STs.”