(a) whether incidents of communal skirmishes/riots have recently taken place
in various States/cities in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has taken any action against the people who incited the said violence; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor along with the steps being taken to prevent communal riots in future ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)
(a) to (d) “Public Order” and “Police” are State subjects as per the provisions of the Constitution. The responsibility of maintaining law and order, dealing with crimes including communal incidents, taking action against the culprits and maintaining relevant data in this regard rests with the respective State Governments. There are adequate provisions under law to enable State Governments to deal with such matters.
In order to assist the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to maintain communal harmony in their respective jurisdiction, the Central
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Government adopts various measures like sharing of intelligence, sending alert messages, advisories etc. From time to time on matters having bearing on communal harmony. On the request of the States/Union Territories, the Central Government deploys Central Armed Police Forces, including the Rapid Action Force, created specially to deal with such situations.
Further, Central Government has issued Communal Harmony Guidelines, which, inter-alia, lay down standard operating procedures to deal with the situations arising out of communal violence. These guidelines are aimed to maintain due vigilance, careful planning and preparatory measures to prevent and pre-empt potential communal violence. These guidelines are reiterated from time to time, to sensitize State/ UTs.
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