‘Encourage Muslim youths to protect cows’: Haryana CM on Nuh violence

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar spoke about the clashes that erupted in Nuh district and said cow protection is a big issue in the area.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Khattar appealed to the Muslim community to protect cows and said, “I would encourage Muslim youths to come forward for cow protection as it would ensure social harmony.”

The chief minister said the death toll from the clashes that erupted during a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession on Monday has increased to six. He said 119 arrests have been made following the clashes and 90 others detained.

Top Points From CM Manohar Khattar’s press conference
The Haryana CM said a scheme will be launched to provide aid to the victims of violence that erupted in Nuh district. He said people have been asked to make their claims about the losses they faced as a result of the violence and the government will make an assessment through a portal.

The chief minister also said the rioters would pay for the loss of private property. “We have passed an act wherein it provides that for any loss, the government issues compensation for the loss of public property. But, as far as private property is concerned, those who caused the loss are liable to compensate for it. So, we will provide for loss of public property and for private property we will say that compensation will be collected from those who are liable for it,” said the CM.

He said a compensation of Rs 57 lakh will be given to the family of each of the home guards who were killed during the violence.

Talking about the security measures that have been put in place to curb further incidents of violence, CM Khattar said, “We have deployed 20 companies of central forces in Haryana. Fourteen of them are in Nuh, three in Palwal, two in Gurugram and one in Faridabad. We have also asked for four additional companies of paramilitary forces.” A battalion of the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) will be permanently moved to Nuh, he added.

The chief minister said the protection of cows is a “big issue” in Nuh and encouraged Muslim youths to protect the animal. “There are Muslims who speak in support of cow protection. I would encourage Muslim youths to come forward for cow protection as it would ensure social harmony,” said CM Khattar.

He said the state government will “unearth the conspiracy” behind the violence and will not spare those found responsible for the clashes. “We have to maintain peace and harmony,” said the CM. He, however, added that the government cannot protect everyone and even the police or the Army cannot give a full-proof guarantee.

Speaking on the cow vigilante from Bajrang Dal, Monu Manesar, Khattar said the Rajasthan Police had a case against him and the Haryana government does not have input on him. He said the Rajasthan Police is free to act against Monu Manesar and the Haryana government will extend their help.

Haryana chief minister also said the authorities are examining thousands of calls and CCTV footage to identify those who played a role in the violence.