States Have Been Asked To File FIRs On Violence Over Cow Protection: Centre

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Centre on Monday said that the Union Home Ministry has advised State Governments to compulsorily register FIRs in all “untoward incidents” of cow vigilantism.

“(i) Untoward incidents in the country on cattle in the disturbance of law and order by miscreants in the name of protection of Cow and (ii) compulsory registration of FIR for cognizable offence, irrespective of territorial jurisdiction and making available copy of FIR, has been issued to States/UTs,” the Centre stated.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said that it was the State Government’s responsibility to maintain law and order in their respective States, and that the State Governments are competent to deal with such offences under the extant provisions of laws. This was in light of the fact that ‘Police’ and ‘Police order’ fall within State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.