The Scheduled Castes and The Schedules Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
To check and deter crimes against the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, an Act of Parliament namely the "The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989" is in force. The SC/ST (PoA) Rules, 1995 have been also framed to effectively implement the provisions of the Act.
Section 21 (2) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities){PoA} Act, 1989 and Rule 3(1) (i) of the PoA Rules, 1995 specifies for the purpose of delineation of “Identified Areas” (commonly known as “Atrocity Prone Areas”) where members of SC/ST are vulnerable to being subjected to atrocities and adoption of necessary measures to ensure their safety. The details of State-wise identified Atrocity Prone Areas is given as Annexure.
Rule 8 of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995, requires the State Government to set up a SC/ST Protection Cell, at the State headquarters, under the charge of a DGP, ADGP/IGP. The SC/ST Protection Cells have been set up in the States/UTs of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, NCT of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry.
Further, National Helpline against Atrocities (NHAA) on the members of Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes has been also launched by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment. The objective of the helpline is to generate awareness about the provisions of the Law that are aimed at ending discrimination and provide protection. The NHAA is available on toll-free number ‘14566’ across the country.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the implementation of the PCR Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is in force under which the Central Assistance is provided to the States/UTs mainly for strengthening of the enforcement and judicial machinery, setting up of SC/ST Protection Cells and Special Police Stations, Incentive for inter caste marriages where one of the spouses is a member of a SC, Awareness generation, relief and rehabilitation of the atrocity victims, travelling and Legal Aid.
'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule (List-II) to the Constitution of India. The primary responsibility for implementation of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 rests with the State Governments/UT Administrations.
However, Government of India issues advisories to the State Governments/UT Administrations from time to time for effective implementation of the PoA Act and Rules made thereunder in the letter and spirit.
Ministry of Women and Child Development also implements One Stop Centre and Universalization of Women Helplines across the country as components of the sub-scheme 'Sambal' and Shakti Sadan as a component of sub-scheme ‘Samarthya’ under Umbrella Scheme 'Mission Shakti'.
One Stop Centre, popularly known as Sakhi Centres, the One Stop Centre (OSC) is being implemented across the country since 1st April 2015. The objectives of the One Stop Centre component are to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof and facilitate immediate, emergency and non-emergency access to a range of services including police, medical, legal aid and counselling, psychological support to fight against any forms of violence against women. As of now, 758 OSCs have been approved and out of which 708 are operational in 35 States/UTs and more than 5.40 lakh women have been assisted so far.
The Universalisation of Women Helpline (WHL) is being implemented since 1st April, 2015 with the aim to provide an immediate and 24 hour emergency and non-emergency response to women across the country by referral service. Under the Scheme, a toll-free 24-hours telecom service through short code 181 is provided to women seeking support and information. Women helpline is operational in 34 States/UTs and handled more than 70.00 lakh calls assisting the aggrieved women.
Shakti Sadan component targets women victims of unfortunate circumstances who are in need of institutional support for rehabilitation and victims of trafficking so that they could lead their life with dignity. The scheme envisages providing shelter, food, clothing and health as well as economic and social security for the women victims of difficult circumstances and trafficking which includes widows, destitute women and aged women.
Annexure
Details of Atrocity Prone Areas
- ANDHRA PRADESH
The details of identified Atrocity Prone Areas are as under: -
|
S.
No.
|
Identified District
|
Specific areas within District, identified as atrocity prone areas(villages)
|
|
1.
|
Kadapa District
|
5
|
|
2.
|
Srikakulam District
|
1
|
|
3.
|
East Godavari (Including Rajahmundry Urban) District
|
47
|
|
|
Total
|
53
|
2. BIHAR
In the State, 34 districts have been identified as sensitive from the point of view of atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These districts are Patna, Nalanda, Rohtas, Bhabhua, Bhojpur, Buxer, Gaya, Jehanabad, Nawada, Aurangabad, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, West Champaran (Betia), West Champaran (Bagaha) East Champaran (Motihari), Vaishali, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Saharsa, Madhepura, Purnia, Bhagalpur, Banka, Munger, Sheikhpura, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar, Jamui and Araria.
3. CHHATTISGARH
The details of identified atrocity prone areas are as under: -
|
S.
No.
|
Identified District
|
Specific areas within District, identified as atrocity prone areas
|
|
1.
|
Durg District
|
10
|
|
2.
|
Balrampur District
|
91
|
|
|
Total
|
101
|
4. GUJARAT
11 districts have been identified as sensitive from the point of occurrence of offences of atrocities: -
-
-
-
- Mehsana
- Ahmedabad (Rural)
- Junagadh
- Kutch
- Banaskantha
- Kheda
- Amreli
- Rajkot (Rural)
- Surendranagar
- Vadodara (Rural)
- Bharuch
5. JHARKHAND
The Government of Jharkhand has identified following atrocity prone areas in the State: -
|
S. No.
|
Identified Districts
|
Specific areas within District identified as 'atrocity prone' areas
|
|
1.
|
Giridih
|
Bengabad
|
|
2.
|
Saraikela
|
Adityapur, Chandil, Nimdih and Saraikela.
|
|
3.
|
Chatra
|
Tokbul, Dhebo, Kobna and Yogiyara
|
|
4.
|
Khunti
|
Khuti
|
|
5.
|
Garhwa
|
Garhwa Subdivision
|
|
6.
|
Dumka
|
Not Specific
|
|
7.
|
Chaibasa
|
No such specific atrocity prone areas in West Singhbhum, and Chibasa
|
|
8.
|
Palamu
|
Husainabad Sub Division
|
|
9.
|
Lohardaga
|
No area has been identified as “atrocity-prone” areas
|
|
10.
|
Ranchi
|
Chanho, Mandar, Ratu, Bubdu, Jagarnathpur, Namkum, Bariyatu and Chutia
|
6. KARNATAKA
The Government of Karnataka has identified following atrocity prone areas in the State: -
|
S. No.
|
Identified Districts
|
Specific areas within District identified as 'atrocity prone' areas
|
|
1.
|
Bangalore (U)
|
Sampigehalli Sub-Division Bangalore City
1.Basavalingappa Nagar Sampigehalli
2. Bagalur
3.Bandikodigetialli Village
4. Kothanuru
Malleswarm Sub Division Bangalore City
1. A.K. Colony
2.Bheemshakthi Nagar
|
|
2.
|
Kalaburagi
|
Nagaral(Malli) Tg Jawargi
|
|
3.
|
Yadgir
|
Kembavi, Sorapuar Tq
Hogager, Yadgiri Tq
|
7. MADHYA PRADESH
In the State, 11 districts have been identified, where members of SCs and STs are likely to be subjected to atrocities.
|
S. No.
|
Districts
|
S. No.
|
Police Stations
|
Number of Village/ Mohalla
|
|
1.
|
Indore
|
1
|
Azadnagar
|
Mukhliya
|
|
2
|
Hiranagar
|
Sukhliya
|
|
3
|
Simrol
|
Datoda
|
|
4
|
Khudail
|
Dudhiya
|
|
5
|
Badgonda
|
Badgonda
|
|
6
|
Kisanganj
|
Kisanganj
|
|
2.
|
Vidisha
|
1
|
Kotwali
|
Mohangiri
|
|
Lohangi Mohalla
|
|
3.
|
Morena
|
1
|
Ambah
|
Gurudwara Jagga Mohalla
|
|
2
|
Station Road
|
Tussipur
|
|
Subhash Nagar
|
|
4.
|
Bhind
|
1
|
Dehat
|
Mahavir Nagar, Sundarpura, Vikrampura, Near Vidhnati School, BTI Road
|
|
Ramnagar, Bamba Ka Pura, Santosh Nagar, Ashok Nagar, BTI Road
|
|
2
|
Andori
|
Lohripura
|
|
5.
|
Gwalior
|
1
|
Gwalior
|
Lohripura
|
|
Chandra Nagar
|
|
Gospura No.02
|
|
2
|
Sirol
|
Huravali
|
|
3
|
Bahodapur
|
Ramaji ka Pura
|
|
4
|
Gola ka Mandir
|
Pintopark
|
|
5
|
Janakganj
|
Lakshmiganj
|
|
Gol Pahadi
|
|
Taragamjpul
|
|
Sanjay Nagar
|
|
6.
|
Shivpuri
|
1
|
Kotwali
|
Lalmati Fahahpur
|
|
2
|
Narwar
|
Magroni
|
|
7.
|
Ashoknagar
|
1
|
Kotwali
|
Mandsour meel
|
|
2
|
Dehat
|
Shankar Colony
|
|
8.
|
Narsinghpur
|
1
|
Gotegaon
|
Bagaspur
|
|
9.
|
Hoshangabad
|
1
|
Kotwali
|
Jumerati Area
|
|
Balaganj Area
|
|
Kothibagar
|
|
Gwaltoli
|
|
2
|
Itarsi
|
Purani Itarsi
|
|
Nala Mohalla
|
|
New Yard
|
|
Main Bazar Area
|
|
3
|
Piparia
|
Itwara Bazar
|
|
Pachmari Road
|
|
4
|
Dehat Hoshangabad
|
Rasuliya
|
|
10.
|
Harda
|
1
|
Harda
|
Housing Board Area
|
|
Manpura
|
|
Khedipura
|
|
2
|
Timarni
|
Linepar Mohalla
|
|
3
|
Chipabad
|
Khirkiya
|
|
11.
|
Betul
|
1
|
Betul
|
Patel Ward
|
|
Gandhi Ward
|
|
Ambedkar Ward
|
|
2
|
Ganj Betul
|
Hamlapur Manzi Nagar
|
|
Javaharward Ganj
|
|
3
|
Sarni
|
Sarni
|
|
Pathakeda
|
|
Shobhapur
|
|
Grand total 1 to 11
|
|
31
|
53
|
8. MAHARASHTRA
The Government of Maharashtra has identified following atrocity prone areas in the State: -
|
S. No.
|
Identified Districts
|
Specific areas within District identified as 'atrocity prone' areas
|
|
1.
|
Jolgaon
|
2
|
| |
Total
|
2
|
9. ODISHA
The Home Department of the State has identified following atrocity prone areas in the State: -
|
S.
No.
|
District
|
Specific areas within District, identified as “atrocity” prone area
|
|
1.
|
Angul
|
Pallahara, Chendipada, Jarapada Police Stations areas.
|
|
2.
|
Bolangir
|
Patnagarh Sub-Division area
|
|
3.
|
Balasore
|
BBaliapala, Basta, Bhogarai, Jaleswar, Remuna, Sora, Khantapara, Sadar Police Stations areas.
|
|
4.
|
Bhadrak
|
Bhadrak Rural (Sadar, Naikanidihi, Dhusuri, Bansada Police Stations areas
|
|
5.
|
Boudh
|
Boudh, Baunsuni, Manamunda, Kantamal, Purunakatak, Harabhanga Police Stations areas.
|
|
6.
|
Cuttack
|
Niali, Athagarh, Guridiujhatia Police Stations areas.
|
|
7.
|
Deogarh
|
Deogarh, Barkote, Riamal, Kundheigola
|
|
8.
|
Dhenkanal
|
Sadar, Parjang Police Stations areas
|
|
9.
|
Jagatsinghpur
|
Jagatsingpur, Biridi, Nuagaon, Raghunathpur, Tirtol, Kujanga, Erasama, Paradeep.
|
|
10.
|
Kalahandi
|
Dharmagarh, Junagarh, Jaipatna, Koksara, Bhawanipatna Sadar, Kegaon and Bhawanipatna Town areas).
|
|
11.
|
Kandhamal
|
Entire Kandhamal District is the atrocity prone area as intimated by the S.P.Kandhamal).
|
|
12.
|
Kendrapara
|
Pattamundai, Marshaghai areas
|
|
13.
|
Keonjhar
|
Keonjhar Town, Sadar, Patna, Ghasipura, Ghatagaon, Anandapur, Champua, Joda, Barbil .
|
|
14.
|
Nuapada
|
Sinapali Block
|
|
15.
|
Puri
|
Sadar, Town, Sea-Beach, Chandrapur, Satyabadi, Brahmagiri, Delang, Kanas, Pipili, Gop, Balanga, Nimapada, krushnaparsad
|
|
16.
|
Rourkela
|
Rourkela Police District
|
|
17.
|
Rayagada
|
Kashipur area
|
|
18.
|
Subarnapur
|
Sonepur, Birmaharajpur.
|
|
19.
|
UPD, BBSR
|
Balianta, Balipatna, Khandagiri area
|
10. RAJASTHAN
11 districts have been identified as atrocity prone in the State namely Bharatpur, Shri Ganganagar, Tonk, Alwar, Ajmerl, Pali, Barmer, Hanumangarh, Sikar, Baran and Nagaur.
11. TAMIL NADU The Social Justice and Human Rights Wing in Tamil Nadu has identified 345 villages in 37 districts as ‘Atrocity prone’. In 7 Commissionerates, 27 villages were identified as ‘atrocity prone’ for the year 2020.
The villages have surveyed by the Staff of Social Justice and Human Rights Units in the districts and cases brought to the notice of Superintendent of Police and District Collector for taking precautionary and preventive measures to avoid any untoward incidents/clashes between the Scheduled Castes and non Scheduled Castes.
12. TELANGANA
The details of identified atrocity prone areas are as under: -
|
S.No.
|
Identified District
|
Number of villages in the District, identified as atrocity prone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.
|
Nizamabad Commissionerate
|
18
|
|
2.
|
Rachakonda Commissionerate
|
5
|
|
3.
|
RamagundamCommissionerate
|
9
|
|
4.
|
Adilabad
|
4
|
|
5.
|
Bhadradri (Kothagudem)
|
17
|
|
6.
|
Jagityal
|
1
|
|
7.
|
Mahaboobnagar
|
5
|
|
8.
|
Nalgonda
|
6
|
|
9.
|
Narayanpet
|
1
|
|
|
Total
|
66
|
13. ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ADMINISTRATION
The details of identified atrocity prone areas are as under: -
|
Identified District
|
Specific areas within the District, identified as atrocity prone.
|
|
North & Middle Andaman District
|
Kadamtala, Rangat, Baratang
|
This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
*****
MG/RNM