New Delhi, July 17: The central government on Wednesday said it has no specific data on incidents of mob lynching. Asked if incidents of mob lynching have increased in the last six months, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai told Rajya Sabha that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) doesn't have specific data on mob lynchings. There have been several incidents of mob lynching in different parts of the country.

"National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not maintain specific data with respect to lynching incidents in the country," Rai said in the Upper House of Parliament. The minister put the onus on state governments for maintaining law and order. "State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection and investigation of crimes and for prosecuting the criminals through their law enforcement agencies," Rai said. After Madhya Pradesh And UP, Rajasthan Government to Enact Law Against Mob Lynching.

The MoS further said that 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the seventh schedule of the Constitution. In July last year, the Supreme Court had urged Parliament to consider enacting a new law to tackle incidents of lynching and cow vigilantism. Describing mob lynching as "horrendous acts of mobocracy", the apex court had warned that such incidents may rise like a "Typhon-like monster" across the country. Kamal Nath Gives Stern Warning to Gau Rakshaks, Says 'Won't Spare Those Involved in Violence in Name of Cow'.

A few months later, the Manipur Assembly passed a Bill against mob violence. In May this year, Congress-led Madhya Pradesh approved a proposal to amend the cow protection law and award jail terms ranging from six months to five years to those who indulge in violence in the name of cow vigilantism. Recently, the Uttar Pradesh Law Commission also framed draft legislation to combat mob lynching.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2019 04:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).