No data on rumours regarding incident of attacks on migrant workers: Govt tells Parliament

There is no data on rumours regarding incidents of attacks on migrant workers, action taken by States and migration of workers from one state to another state, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

"No data on rumours regarding incident of attacks on migrant workers, action taken by States and migration of workers from one state to another state is maintained centrally, as 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and the State Governments are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through the machinery of their law enforcement agencies as also for protecting the life and property of the citizens," Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said in a written reply in Loka Sabha.

The Centre, however, said that it takes cognisance of various incidents and depending upon the gravity of the crime, seeks reports from the concerned State governments and takes quick remedial action.

"The Government also supplements the efforts of State Governments by deploying additional Central Police Forces for maintaining the Law and Order. Ministry of Home Affairs has issued advisories to States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into his/her own hand is punished promptly as per law." the minister added.

"An advisory dated 04.07.2018 was issued to the States and UTs to keep watch on circulation of fake news and rumours having potential of inciting violence, take all required measures to counter them effectively and to deal firmly with persons taking law into their own hands," he further said.

The statement comes weeks after uproar over 'attack' on migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu that spread crossfire between the state government and the opposition parties.

Last month, several videos were doing rounds on social media which alleged that migrant labourers were being beaten up brutally in Tamil Nadu. The state government of Tamil Nadu and Bihar have both issued a warning against spreading such messages.