By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
If you are ‘caught’ smuggling cows or slaughtering them and happen to be living in Uttar Pradesh, you may likely face trials under National Security Act (NSA). The new, rather draconian rule was announced by Uttar Pradesh DGP Sulkhan Singh.
Beside NSA, Gangster act shall also be applied in such cases. NSA powers the Police to detain any individual or group upto one year, just on the grounds of suspicion, while in Gangster act, an individual can be imprisoned for two to 10- years along with a fine of Rs 10,000.
While talking to the press on Tuesday, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “The decision to slap NSA and Gangster Act against cattle smugglers and cow slaughter was taken in the general interest of the state and the people.”
The circular issued on the same read as, “Take strict action against cow slaughter and smuggling of cows and their progeny for slaughter. Invoke National Security Act and Gangsters Act against those involved in such activities.”
“Regular patrolling should be organised on highways and the police should check trucks. Genuine traders should not be harassed but smugglers should not be spared,” said Sulkhan Singh to the press.
The decision by the Uttar Pradesh administration came about a month after Sulkhan Singh took charge as DGP of Uttar Pradesh.
Police’s action under NSA and Gangster act depends on the suspicion and the authority to grant permission for arrest and detainment lies with the district magistrate. These provisions of cattle smuggling is only likely to increase the fear of people in the state, especially minorities, who say that the Police may join hands with goons in order to harass them.