Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : The Government is concerned at the incidents of violence by mobs in some parts of the country. It 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. In order to formulate appropriate measures to address the situation, the Government has set up a high level committee chaired by the Union Home Secretary to deliberate on 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., according to a PIB release
The 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.
The 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.
As per the Constitutional scheme, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects. The 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 July 4, 2018. Earlier, an advisory was issued on August 9, 2016, on disturbances by miscreants in the name of protection of cow.