Cong urges Governor to intervene in curbing Dalit atrocities

Jaipur, July 6 (UNI) Accusing the BJP government of turning a blind eye to increasing atrocities on Dalits, senior Congress leader Yogendra Makwana today urged the intervention of the Governor in this regard.

Speaking to reporters today, Mr Makwana, a former Union Minister, who and now the head of Scheduled Tribes department of Congress, said 136 rapes of Dalit women took place in 2005 compared to 126 in 2004.

The number of murders in 2003 was 30 which increased to 45 in 2004, he noted.

Similarly 2,595 atrocity cases against Dalits while were recorded in 2003 the number rose to 2,933 in 2004, he said.

Mr Makwana said he will meet Governor Pratibha Patil today and would inform her about the deteriorating law and order in the state and the increasing crimes against Dalits. ''I will urge Mrs Patil to send a report to the central government in this matter, he added.

UNI RRT VD ND1524