Ban cow vigilantism: CPI-M

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) The CPI-M on Monday condemned the killing of a farmer who had bought cows in Alwar in Rajasthan and urged the Modi government to ban "all gangs indulging in cow vigilantism and moral policing".

The Communist Party of India-Marxist denounced the killing of Ummar Khan, who was attacked along with Tahir Khan and Javed Khan with whom he had purchased cows in Alwar. Javed Khan is reportedly missing.

"All three of them were beaten and also shot at by so-called gau rakshaks. It is more shocking that the Rajasthan Police registered a case against the victims and has allowed the vigilantes to go scot free," a CPI-M statement said.

The CPI-M pointed out that the Supreme Court had given strict instructions to the central and state governments to prevent such attacks and take strict action in such incidents of vigilantism.

"It had in fact said that in every district a senior police officer should be designated to be responsible for this. It had also said that proper compensation should be paid to the victims."

The CPI-M urged the Modi and Rajasthan governments to abide by the directions of the Supreme Court and ensure that the culprits were brought to book and that the families of the victims were compensated adequately and assured of justice.

"It also demands that the central government bans all such gangs indulging in cow vigilantism and moral policing."