Indian government set up high-level committee chaired by Union Home Secretary to check mob lynching

The committee will submit its recommendations to the Government within four weeks.

In a statement issued by the Centre, the government said: "In order to formulate appropriate measures to address the situation, Government has set up a high level committee chaired by the Union Home Secretary to deliberate in the matter and make recommendations. The Secretary, Department of Justice, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Secretary, Legislative Department and Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment are the members of the committee. The committee will submit its recommendations to the Government within four weeks."

"Government has further decided to constitute a Group of Ministers headed by the Union Home Minister to consider the recommendations of the high level committee. The Minister, External Affairs, Minister, Road Transport and Highways; Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Minister, Law & Justice and Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment are the members of Group of Ministers. The Group of Ministers will submit their recommendations to the Prime Minister," it said.

Mob lynching incidents have made it to the headlines in recent times.

The latest lynching incident was reported from Alwar in Rajasthan.

Reports said two men were taking a couple of cows from their native Kolganv village in Haryana to Ramgarh, when the incident took place last week.

Rakbar Khan, one of the victims, had reportedly died to the cops' alleged foul play.

According to NDTV, police kept Rakbar in their custody for more than three hours before taking him to a hospital.

The policemen first arranged to ferry the cow and then went to have refreshments, the report said.

Though Rakbar was complaining of pain, the policemen were having tea from a nearby stall, it said.

When the victim was taken to a hospital finally, he was declared dead on arrival.

Naval Kishore, a right-wing supporter, who had called up police first after the lynching incident, told media that police had initially taken Rakbar into custody where the victim was beaten to death.

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan government has ordered a high-level probe into the case.

Here is the full statement issued by the Centre over Mob Lynching incident:

"Government is concerned at the incidents of violence by mobs in some parts of the country. Government has already condemned such incidents and made its stand clear in the Parliament that it is committed to upholding the rule of law and adopting effective measures to curb such incidents.

As per the Constitutional scheme, 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects. State Governments are responsible for controlling crime, maintaining law and order, and protecting the life and property of the citizens. They are empowered to enact and enforce laws to curb crime in their jurisdiction.

Accordingly, Ministry of Home Affairs has, from time to time, issued advisories to States/UTs for maintenance of public order and prevention of crime in their areas of jurisdiction. An advisory on addressing the issue of lynching by mob on suspicion of child lifting was issued on 04.07.2018. Earlier, an advisory was issued on 09.08.2016 on disturbances by miscreants in the name of protection of cow.

Government respects the recent directions of the Supreme Court on the issue of mob violence, and has issued an advisory to State Governments urging them to take effective measures to prevent incidents of mob violence and lynching and to take stringent action as per law. The State Governments have been advised to implement the directions issued in the matter by the Supreme Court on July 17, 2018.

In order to formulate appropriate measures to address the situation, Government has set up a high level committee chaired by the Union Home Secretary to deliberate in the matter and make recommendations. The Secretary, Department of Justice, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Secretary, Legislative Department and Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment are the members of the committee. The committee will submit its recommendations to the Government within four weeks.

Government has further decided to constitute a Group of Ministers headed by the Union Home Minister to consider the recommendations of the high level committee. The Minister, External Affairs, Minister, Road Transport and Highways; Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Minister, Law & Justice and Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment are the members of Group of Ministers. The Group of Ministers will submit their recommendations to the Prime Minister."