PhotoNEW DELHI — Just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized vigilante cow protection groups that have targeted Muslims and low-caste Hindus suspected of slaughtering cows, an Indian state said it plans to license the groups to help the police enforce state cow protection laws. Last month, cow protection vigilantes brutally attacked four Dalits over cow slaughter rumors. Reports of attacks on members of religious minorities by vigilante cow protection groups, known as gau rakshaks, have increased in India, with six such attacks in a four-week span last year. Haryana has also set up a police task force with 15 officers in each district to detect cow smugglers, Mr. Mangla said. Mr. Mangla said the state had begun collecting photos and phone numbers of members of Save the Cow.

Source: International New York Times August 11, 2016 17:32 UTC