As many as 47,338 cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were registered across the country in 2016, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said as per the information provided by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 40,774 cases were registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other sections of law over alleged crimes against SCs and STs in 2016.

Of these, chargesheets were filed in 78.3% cases, and the conviction rate was 25.8%, he said in reply to a written question.

As many as 6,564 cases were registered over alleged crimes against the Scheduled Tribes in 2016, in which chargesheets were filed in 81.3% cases where the conviction rate was 20.8%, the Minister said.

Mr. Ahir said in 2015, a total of 38,564 cases were registered for alleged crimes against the SCs in which charge sheets were filed in 73.8% cases and the conviction rate was 27.2%. He said altogether 6,275 cases were registered for alleged crimes against STs in 2015 in which chargesheets were filed in 74.3% cases, and the conviction rate was 19.8%.

The Minister said Rule 3 (v) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995 specifies that with a view to prevent atrocities on members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the State government, if deemed necessary, can provide arms licenses to members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

“Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. The responsibilities to maintain law and order rest primarily with the respective state governments ,” Mr. Ahir added.