Curb atrocities on minorities, panel member tells police

Tribune News Service

Ambala, June 19

National Commission for Minorities member Manjit Singh Rai on Tuesday directed the police department to keep an eye on people who spread hatred and try to hurt public sentiments on social media and take prompt action against them.

During a meeting with officials of the district administration and the police at Panchayat Bhawan in Ambala City, Rai said, “Along with social welfare and development, providing security to minority communities is also a priority of the government. The police should keep a close watch on people committing atrocities on minorities.”

Reviewing the facilities being given under the Prime Minister’s 15-point programme for the minority communities, he said, “The government can formulate schemes, but it is the responsibility of the officials to provide the benefits of such schemes to beneficiaries.”

He directed police officers to resolve the cases regarding disputes between different communities with sensitivity as any negligence in such cases could snowball into a big controversy.

Later in the day, he heard the grievances of people from minority communities. While a representative of the Sikh community demanded that Khalsa School must be reopened in Ambala City, a member of the Muslim community sought repair of Badshahi mosque in Ranjit Nagar and construction of a dharmashala in Ambala City. Rai assured them of meeting their demands.