UP Police Threatens Use of NSA, Goonda Act Against Those Involved in Cow Slaughter

NEW DELHI: The killing of police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and a civilian by a Right-wing mob over alleged cow slaughter in Bulandshahr district has brought to the fore the priorities of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. After 'eleven days' of the brutal incident, the UP police (Meerut zone), instead of taking any action and arresting Bajrang Dal leader and key accused Yogesh Raj, organised 'gram sabha' on Friday to socially boycott those who involved in cow slaughter, else be prepared to be handed over to the police.

A purported video of a police officer has gone viral on social media where he can be seen making people pledge against cow slaughter. The villagers from both communities (Hindus and Muslims) have also been urged to socially boycott those involved in this crime and hand them over to the police for action. The cop can be seen raising his hands for an oath and people can be heard repeating his pledge. 

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Speaking with Newsclick over phone, Rajesh Kumar, Meerut Superintendent of Police, (rural) said, "We have started a campaign against cow slaughter in almost every village of Meerut district but our main focus is on over 20 villages that are infamous for cow slaughter. Harra, Khiwai, Sisola Khurd, Siwal khas etc are known for crime and cow slaughter. We had asked our local police to create awareness about cow slaughter. The police teams have been coming up with new initiatives and the pledge campaign is a part of it."

In fact, the UP police has also warned people that it would use draconian Acts against those found involved in cow slaughter.

"Chowkidar (watchman) and Lekhpal are given responsibility to keep an eye on cow slaughter and if they fail do to so, they will be fired from the job or will not be given salaries as they are government servants. And if somebody is found slaughtering cows, they will booked under the Goonda Act, Gangster Act and National Security Act (NSA) …Their family will be also booked and sent to the jail,” Kumar said. 

While discussing the Bulandshahr violence, Kumar said two people have been killed, and “we do not want unrest in our district, that's why we are taking this step” adding that “a community's sentiments were hurt due to cow slaughter.  We need to stop this.”

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In a press release of an official meeting called by Chief Minister Adityanath after the Bulandhsahr violence, the name of the slain police officer was not even been mentioned. The press release talked about the government's resolve to shut down slaughterhouses and stop cow slaughter. It was only later, that another press release was issued for some damage control. This shows the Adityanath-led BJP government’s misplaced priorities, wherein the lives of even the police personnel entrusted with the security of the state do not seem to matter.

On December 3, police inspector Singh was attacked while trying to quell mob violence on the streets after some villagers landed up with cow carcasses on a tractor trolley, alleging slaughter. His car was reportedly chased into the field where he was allegedly shot dead.  Incidentally, Singh was an investigating officer in the Dadri mob lynching case of Mohd Akhlaq till November 2015. His sister has alleged a conspiracy behind the murder, linking it with the Dadri case.