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Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has directed police to ensure that ‘gau rakshaks’ are not booked on false charges, and that FIRs be lodged and probed if they are threatened or attacked.
Narvekar gave these directions at a meeting Monday, called in the wake of the killing of a ‘gau rakshak’ from Nanded a week ago. The meeting was held a day after 11 people were arrested following the killing of a man near Igatpuri – his companion was also assaulted – by ‘gau rakshaks’ who suspected them of transporting beef.
“Strict legal action should be initiated to stop cow slaughter in Maharashtra and flying squads should be formed to stop illegal transportation of animals in border areas. In addition, incidents of threats being given to gau rakshaks and attacks on them should be immediately probed and FIRs be filed,” Narvekar said at a meeting of individuals and organisations working against cow slaughter in the state.
It was attended by Additional DG (Law and Order) Sanjay Saxena, Nanded SP Shrikrishna Kokate and office-bearers of the Gauraksha committee.
Narvekar directed that action be initiated against those who have filed “false cases” against ‘gau rakshaks’. “Meat testing machines should also be used by the authorities. All departments concerned should hold a joint meeting to frame a clear policy for effective implementation of cow protection,” he said, calling for a review in the next 10 days.
The meeting was held in the wake of the death of Shekhar Rapeli, a “gau rakshak” from Nanded. On June 19, 32-year-old Rapeli was killed in an attack after he and his friends intercepted a vehicle and tried to check it, suspecting that it was smuggling cattle. Around 15 men in the vehicle attacked them.
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