The Uttar Pradesh police has launched a campaign to check atrocities on Dalits and tribal women in the name of superstition.
The Uttar Pradesh police has launched a campaign to check atrocities on Dalits and tribal women in the name of superstition.
It is a common practice to term these women as “witches” and then subject them to inhuman atrocities.
The police headquarters in Lucknow has sent out directives to all district police chiefs, asking them to take firm action in such cases.
According to ADG Chandra Prakash (special investigation), a documentary is also being made that will be screened in SC/ST populated areas to spread awareness and inform people of their rights in such cases. The film will inform them about the procedure to lodge complaints and the officers they need to approach if they are being victimised by others.
Booklets in this regard are also being distributed and punishment for making someone wear a garland of shoes or blackening of faces has been clearly mentioned.
“We are going to organise seminars at all district headquarters where lower ranking police personnel will be invited. We will deal with the seriousness of such issues and also dispel superstitions that abound in such cases. The police force needs to be sensitised, so that action can be taken against offenders. Once action is taken, people will start shying away from such actions”, said the senior police official.
