NHRC notice to the Government of Uttar Pradesh over reported killing of two persons, including a police officer, in the violent agitation over alleged cow slaughter in district Bulandshahr (04.12.2018)

New Delhi, 4th December, 2018

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports regarding the death of two persons including a police officer, during violent clashes over alleged cow slaughter in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh on the 3rd December, 2018.

It has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks including action taken against the miscreants and relief and rehabilitation provided to the families of the deceased persons.

The Commission has observed that the reported incident is indicative of yet another incident of violent protest and rampaging by the unruly mob exposing lawlessness and failure of the administration to tackle the sensitive issues and situations. The contents of the media reports, suggest that even the police officers do not appear to be safe and can be easily eliminated at free will of the uncontrolled lawless elements. Right to Life of the deceased persons in the instant incident have been grossly violated, which is a matter of concern for the Commission. The safety of the public property and lives of its citizens is the prime duty of the state and the Commission expects effective and prompt action from the state authorities in such situations so that a strong message could be given to the violators of the law.

According to the media reports, carried today on the 4thDecember, 2018,the trouble started after some local people from Mahav village spotted carcasses of cows in a nearby forest. Some of the agitators loaded the carcasses on a tractor and placed it near Chingrawati police post on Syana-Garh highway near Bulandshahr city. The mob raised slogans against the police administration and blocked the Bulandshahr-Garh state highway. The violent mob went on destroying public property including vehicles and the Police Post. Reportedly, the police officer was shot in the head.

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