NHRC issues notice to Rajasthan on lynching, seeks action report

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Taking suo motu cognizance of the lynching of a Muslim man by cow vigilantes in Alwar district of Rajasthan last week, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued notice to the Rajasthan government demanding a detailed action report.

"The Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Rajasthan calling for a detailed report in the matter along with action taken against the culprits," NHRC said in a statement.

Calling the incident a serious case of human rights violation, NHRC said: "Self-proclaimed volunteers creating an atmosphere of fear in society by taking law in their hands are required to be dealt with strictly as per law."

"The state has a responsibility to remain vigilant to prevent such activities," it added.

The commission also issued a notice to the Union Home Secretary, calling for a response on what steps have been taken or proposed to be taken by the Centre to deal with such incidents in the country.

The response is expected within four weeks.

The commission observed that this incident is not the first of its kind and in a similar incident, four Dalit boys, possessing beef, were severely beaten up in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat in July, 2016.

The lynching incident occurred on Saturday when a group of self-styled cow vigilantes attacked dairy farmer Pehlu Khan in Behror area of Alwar.

Khan, hailing from Haryana, died on Monday night in hospital.

He was travelling in a truck with two cows and two calves when the attackers accused him of illegally smuggling cows for slaughter. However, his family said he had bought the animals for his small dairy business.

--IANS

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