Victims and witnesses in 35 cases of atrocities against Dalit and Adivasi women and girls narrated their struggles to secure justice at a legal clinic organised by Dalit Sthree Sakthi (DSS) at Lakdikapul on Wednesday.

The victims recounted harrowing experiences involving murder, rape, gangrape and cheating in the name of love. Members of the panel expressed concern over the trauma faced by the victims and the difficulties they encountered in pursuing their cases.

Divya Devarajan, CEO of the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) and secretary, panchayat raj, appreciated the victims for their perseverance in seeking justice. Stressing the need for financial assistance, she said support would be extended through Sneha Cooperative Societies, which have more than one lakh women associated with various groups.

She urged victims to utilise these societies at the mandal and district levels and assured assistance in securing bank loans in coordination with the Scheduled Castes Development Department (SCDD).

SCDD commissioner Vijayendra Boyi expressed concern over the crimes and called for stronger support mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

She said the government had sanctioned ₹40 crore towards compensation for victims of atrocities, while another ₹31 crore was in the process of being sanctioned. She assured the victims of measures to secure justice, compensation and rehabilitation.

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