Dalit atrocities on rise in Kerala, says NCSC vice-chairman L Murugan

Cases of Dalit atrocities has taken a steep hike in Kerala said National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) vice-chairman on Thursday after meeting family members of RSS worker Rajesh Kumar, who was murdered by allegedly history-sheeter in Thiruvananthapuram last month.

According to NCSC vice-Chairman L Murugan around 1,000 cases of atrocities against the Dalits — 155 rape and 12 murder — have been reported in the state since June last 2016.

He added that the crime records of the Kerala government says nearly 1,000 cases of Dalit atrocities were registered between June, 2016 and April, 2017.

“As many as 155 rape cases, 12 murder cases and cases of custodial death, in which the victims were Dalits, have been reported," added Murugan.

Murugan also informed the media that the commission plans to carry out a statewide review to be headed by NCSC Chairman Ram Shankar Katheria September.

Murugan also added that the NCSC has directed Kerala home secretary, state police chief and principal secretary of the SC/ST development department to file a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in connection with the killing of Rajesh.

The NCSC vice-chairman added that the state government should grant a compensation of Rs 15 lakhs to the kin of Rajesh other than the addition to financial assistance provided by the Victim’s Welfare Fund.