A seminar on the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and its implementation in Assam was organised by the Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Assam State Development Corporation for Scheduled Castes Limited jointly at NEDFi House at Dispur here on Sunday.
Rajiv Kumar Bora, additional chief secretary to the Government of Assam, Department of Welfare of Plain Tribes & Backward Classes (WPT & BC) delivered the welcome speech.
The Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, Hiren Chandra Nath, in his speech emphasised the importance of implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The District and Sessions Judge, Kamrup (Rural), Akhtar Fun Ali Bora, stressed the rights and protection of victims and witnesses belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, relief and rehabilitation measures as per the provisions under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
On the other hand, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Satkhokai Changsan, explained about the procedure for registration of cases, number of cases registered, disposed and pending in Assam.
He also spoke about the punishment for offences of atrocities under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The director of Welfare of Schedule Castes, Assam, Leena Das, who was also present in the seminar, spoke about the need of implementation of the Act.
Binita Pegu, Additional Secretary to the Government of Assam, Department of WPT & BC was the moderator of the programme.
As per official sources, around 150 representatives from various State Government departments attended the seminar.