Haryana Government on Tuesday said that it has taken various steps for creating peace and harmony in the society and to deter the individuals from taking law into their hands in view of the incidents of lynching and mob violence.

The commissioners of police and superintendents of police have been designated as nodal officers to investigate such cases, said an official spokesman.

Only a day before, the Supreme Court had pulled up the Centre and the states over the issue of cow vigilantism and mob killings. The Apex Court had on Monday also sought response from the states on compensation for the families of mob killing victims.

The Centre and the State Governments were also asked to give wide publicity within a week on how mob violence of any kind will invite serious consequence under the law.

Notably, the incidents of lynching of 31-year-old Rakbar in July this year and 17-year-old Junaid Khan in June last year had shocked the entire nation.

Rakbar, a resident of Haryana’s Nuh district, was lynched by a mob who had accused him of cow smuggling in Rajasthan’s Alwar district on the night of July 20. Junaid, who boarded the Mathura-bound train from Delhi, was stabbed to death when he, along with his brothers and cousins, was returning home to Khandawali village after shopping for Eid.  His body was later dumped near Asaoti village in Haryana’s Faridabad district.

Both the incidents had let to national debate over the incidents of brutal attacks by gau rakshaks (cow protectors/vigilantes groups) against minorities on the issue of cow protection and others.

To curb incidents of mob lynching, a spokesman of Haryana Government on Monday said that irresponsible and explosive messages, videos and other material on social media which have the tendency to incite mob violence and lynching of any kind are strictly prohibited.

Under relevant provisions of law, stringent action for registration of criminal case would be taken against such persons, he said.

He further said that departmental action would be taken against those officers of law enforcement agencies who fail to prevent such incidents despite having prior knowledge. The general public is requested to maintain peace and harmony and report the matter about any suspected event to the nearest police authorities and desist from taking law in their hands, he added.

Besides this, certain areas have been identified as sensitive areas and efforts are being made to eradicate hostile environment in these areas.  Moreover, law enforcement agencies have been instructed to exercise their powers for prevention of such incidents and police patrolling is being carried out in the sensitive areas, the spokesman added.