Srinagar, Feb 10 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir has reported a limited number of cases related to crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) during the last three years, according to official data tabled in the Lok Sabha.
The information, as per the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) was shared by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in response to an unstarred question raised by Lok Sabha member Anita Nagarsingh Chouhan.
According to the data, 13 cases were registered in J&K in 2021, 11 cases in 2022 and 26 cases in 2023, showing a marginal rise during the last year. Of the cases registered in 2023, 10 were charge-sheeted, indicating initiation of legal proceedings by the investigating agencies.
A district-wise breakup shows that incidents were reported from only a few districts, while most districts across Jammu and Kashmir recorded no such cases. During 2023, two cases were registered in Doda, one each in Kathua, Rajouri, Reasi, Samba and Poonch. Udhampur recorded 3 cases.
In 2022, cases were mainly reported from Jammu (11), Udhampur (4), Kishtwar (3), Kathua (1), Rajouri (1) and Reasi (1), while in 2021, cases were recorded in Udhampur (6), Kathua (4), Reasi (1) and Kishtwar (1).
All other districts, including Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Ganderbal and Kulgam, reported zero cases during the period.
The data further shows that no cases were registered by specialised agencies such as Cyber Crime Wings, Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Economic Offences Wing or Vigilance in Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, the Union Territory of Ladakh, including Leh and Kargil, reported no cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes from 2021 to 2023.
At the national level, the government informed Parliament that 57,789 cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes were registered across India in 2023, while reiterating that laws including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, are being implemented to ensure protection and justice for Scheduled Castes—(KNO)