CM Yogi Adityanath (File photo)

LUCKNOW: UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath has made it clear that while lynching of people will not be tolerated in the state, the government is equally committed to ensuring protection to cattle from smuggling and slaughter .

Speaking to a news channel on Tuesday, the CM also said that the incident of mob lynching are also being "highlighted too much". He said: "No such case has been reported from UP so far but where these are happening, they have to be stopped. However, cow smuggling and slaughter also should be stopped. In UP and across other states, the cow protection act has been implemented. Under no circumstances can we allow cow slaughter and smuggling. Everyone’s faith must be respected."

He said that the state was equally committed to protecting human life as it was to cows but added that with laws already prevalent to protect cows and the government responsive to these issues, violence in the name of cow protection would not be tolerated.

He further rejected the allegation that stray cattle was causing problems for farmers. Explaining that production of rice and wheat were at a record high this year, he said that this would not have been possible had stray cattle destroyed crops.

"The problem of stray cattle has existed in the state even before we came to power. In fact, it is our government which has created gaushalas for 5,000-10,000 cows in each district in the state," he said.

