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Dalit activists thrash out protection and
promotion of Dalit rights with Human Rights Cell of
Nepal Police
Cops promise 10
minute time action
On 31st
January 06, a delegation of Dalit activists discussed
with the officials of Human Rights Cell of Nepal Police on the various aspects
of the discrimination against Dalit and how that can
be overcome through mutual cooperation. The outcome of the meeting was very
positive as both side agreed to exchange ideas and experiences and report to
the cell any incident of the violation of Dalit Human
Rights and the concerned officials promised to take a necessary action within
10 minute time. The delegation of five lead by General Secretary of Dalit NGO Federation Mr. Gajadhar
Sunar had a cordial meeting at Nepal Police headquarters
in Naxal Kathmandu. Other
members of the team were Mr. Hira Vishwakarma
(Team Leader of DEIP),
Mr. Birendra BK (Programme
Officer DEIP), Mr. Chakraman Vishwakarma
(General Secretary of DWO) and Mrs. Gomati Sunar (Advocate, DNF). From the Nepal Police side, the
Chief of Human Rights Cell Mr. Pushkar Karki (Dy. Superintendent of
Police), Mr. Sabin Pradhan
(Inspector) and Chief of Central Women and Children Service Centre under Crime
Investigation department Ms. Parvati Thapa (Superintendent of Police) participated in the discussion.
Mr. Birendra BK upon introducing each other highlighted the
purpose of the meeting and stated that the role of police force is very crucial
to maintain law and order in the country and its role would be equally
important to promote the rights of Dalit as they are
the one who undergo various kinds of discrimination in their day to day life.
Mr. Hira Vishwakarma stated
that crime of untouchability was not considered a
crime against state until
Mr. Gajadhar Sunar, General Secretary
of DNF stated that his institution has a membership of 200 Dalit
NGOs spread in the 50 districts of Nepal can be mobilized and the Legal Aid
Department can also be instrumental to provide any support and collaboration.
Ms. Gomati Sunar (DNF
Advocate) reiterated that she has herself experienced that police personnel
often hesitate to register the cases of discrimination against Dalits.
DSP Pushkar Karki, the chief of the
cell expressed his happiness to have such interaction with a group from Dalit organizations and reaffirmed his and his
institution's commitment that they are willing to do any thing possible to
reduce the caste based discrimination. He suggested to inform
the cell of any incidents of violation of Dalit human
rights and within ten minutes time action will be taken. First of all the
victim has to go to the local police post
and register the case, if there would be any problem then his cell can
be contacted. He also informed that the entire police force has taken the issue
of Dalit seriously and in the training programme on Human Rights the issue of
Dalits are discussed. He stated that there are not much problem within
the force about the Dalit sensitivity and their
issue. Hira stated that, if it is so then a research
to be carried out to ascertain the status and based on the recommendations
further programme could be carried out. However, DSP Karki stated that it is not possible for his cell to carry
out a research but he is ready to provide any support if civil society
organizations would like to do so.
Superintendent
of Police and Chief of Women and Children Service Centre Ms. Parvati Thapa appreciated the
idea of having a focal person on Dalit issue and
informed that a focal person to look after the cases of women and children in
many districts have been very helpful. She emphasized the need of reorienting
the police personnel about the Dalit issue and Dalit organizations can be invited to put forth their issues
and seek support.
Chakraman Vishwakarma, General Secretary of DWO
stated that justice to Dalits very much dependent on the individual attitude
towards Dalits by giving the example of Saptari
incident, when the Chief District Officer was positive a culprit who was an
ex-MP was put into custody, where as in the recent incident of temple entrance
in which a Non-Dalit who helped Dalit
enter the temple and offer "puja" has been
fined Rs. 15,000 and the administration has not
played a positive role in favour of Dalits.
The
meeting agreed to exchange more information about the issue and seek
collaboration and support with each other in the future. The team also visited
the Women and Children Service Centre within Central Department of Crime
Investigation and apprised itself the activities of the same. Support to Dalit women who under go various discriminations was
discussed during the meeting.