Take stern actions against cow vigilantes: PM Modi to state governments

With communal riots gradually sweeping over the country in large numbers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked state governments to take stern actions against those cow vigilantes who indulge in violence.

“Hon’ble Prime Minister has stated that the state governments must deal sternly against anti-social elements that create violence in the name of cow protection,” said Union Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in a written letter to the Rajya Sabha, reported PTI.

The letter from Ahir written as a reply to Samajwadi Party’s question on whether the ruling government has taken any notice of the rising communal violence in the country, stated that under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, state governments and Union Territories are responsible to keep law and order, maintain communal harmony, prevent crime throughout the state and to punish the offenders under the law.

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Just days ago the Supreme Court, India’s apex judicial body had instructed state governments to maintain communal peace in their respective states and to prevent citizens from taking law into their own hands.

Last year, as many as 111 people were killed in 822 incidents of communal violence said the Union Minister in his letter. The number of deaths were 86 from 703 such incidents in 2016, while 97 people lost their lives in 751 communal incidents in 2015.

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The number of people killed in communal riots are however certain to increase this year with many innocent people already losing their lives on suspect of smuggling cows. Northern India and north-western parts of the country are reportedly said to be the leading runners is that aspect.

Ahir also added that the Center from time to time will assist the state governments and Union Territories in maintaining law and order by issuing advisories and important developments from the intelligence.