Cow vigilantism: MHA asks states to file FIRs

The Centre has asked state governments to compulsorily register FIRs in all "untoward incidents" happening in the name of cow protection, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said the responsibility to maintain law and order, protect life and property and incidents of attacks on cattle traders, beef eaters, Muslims, Dalits and dairy farmers rests primarily with the state governments.

An advisory with regard to untoward incidents over cattle, disturbance of law and order by miscreants in the name of cow protection, compulsory registration of an FIR for cognisable offences irrespective of territorial jurisdiction, and making available a copy of the FIR has been issued to states/UTs, he said replying to a written question.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Sunday sought to put the onus for checking cow vigilantism on state governments, insisting that they take "stringent action against anti-social elements".

The prime minister also sought the support of opposition parties in tackling "communal violence" in the name of cow protection, and deprecated attempts at giving a political or communal colour to the issue.

There is a shortage of over 5 lakh police personnel in the country as compared to their overall sanctioned strength, the government told Parliament on Tuesday. The Union home ministry, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, also said that there are lesser Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in position across the country, than their authorised strength. "As on January 1, 2017, there are 3,905 IPS officers in position against an authorised strength of 4,843," Minister of State for Home Hansraj G Ahir said.