Listing as many as 11 instances of state induced violence against vulnerable groups, the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha’s (JJM) delegation met the Inspector General (Human Rights) on April 18, 2022 and discussed the continuing human rights violations and violence against Muslims in the state. While the JJM intended to meet the Director General of Police (DGP), they met with the IG instead.
Earlier, a fact finding committee of Centre for Study of Society and Secularism consisting of Director Irfan Engineer, journalist and activist Ashok Verma and United Milli Forum and Ziaullah from the Association for Protection of Civil Rights General Secretary Afzal Anees reported growing communal tensions in the Hirhi village area. The area witnessed violent communal and targeted attacks during Ram Navami procession similar to other areas in India.
In reaction to this, the JJM approached the police authorities about this growing persecution of the minorities. It also compiled a list of attacks that had taken in the last two years or so. From a 2019 incident of abduction and sexual assault to a February 2022 incident of police torture of the wrong accused; the JJM listed all the atrocities and apathies suffered by the minority communities at the hands of the state police.
“We have been continuously raising the issues of police repression against the tribal-indigenous-deprived. The recent violence against minorities and the police remaining mute spectators is also very worrying. We demand action from Chief Minister Hemant Soren on the attached issues and demands,” said the JJM in a press release.
Members demanded immediate compensation to the victims and families in the 11 cases as well as penalisation of the allegedly guilty police officers. Further, it asked that cases filed against adivasi folk under the guise of “Naxal attacks” be removed and instead allow for better FIR registration of accused police personnel.
“If a person dies while in custody, the official should face the consequences. Accordingly, as per court orders, there should be CCTVs installed in every police station,” said the JJM.
Regarding recent communal attacks, the organisation demanded that those responsible for the religious atrocities against minorities face severe punishment. Like in the case of targeting of adivasis, the JJM said that officials should be held responsible for failing to prevent needless violence. Similarly, victims’ families should get compensation.
“The local police must adhere to all constitutional rights and laws and take strict action against any communal violence,” it said.
Members also asked that the police remove police camps from schools and get permission from gram sabhas before establishing any new camps. Accordingly, security personnel should ask for similar permission before going for a search mission in Schedule 5 areas. Rather, it asked that personnel be educated sensitised about adivasi culture and language.
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