Convention demands ban on 'unlawful' cow vigilantes

A two-day convention of rights bodies and activists has sought the arrest of perpetrators in cases of alleged mob lynching in parts of the country besides a ban on all "unlawful organisations" indulging in cow vigilantism.

The convention titled 'Agrarian Crisis, Assault on Cattle Economy and Lynching of Dalits and Minorities', which concluded here today, was organised by Bhumi Adhikar Andolan (BAA) and attended by Teesta Setalwad of Citizens for Justice and Peace, Ashok Chauduri of All India Union for Forest Working People, Citizens for Justice and Peace, Mujahid Nafees of Minority Coordination Committee, among others.

Family members of victims of mob lynchings shared their plight and how they were awaiting justice, BAA said in a statement.

A fact-finding report, prepared by senior advocates of Supreme Court, on the cases of mob lynching in Rajasthan and Haryana was released. It demanded the immediate arrest of the perpetrators, financial compensation to the victims' families and an allowance of Rs 25 lakh to those injured, the statement said.

The convention also demanded an amendment in the laws to allow purchase of unproductive animals along with ban on all unlawful organisation of cow vigilantes.