After drawing flak for invoking the National Security Act to book three people for cow slaughter, the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh on Friday warned that strict action would be taken against cow vigilantes. 

“We will not spare anybody involved in mob lynching or instigating violence in the name of cow protection," said Chief Minister Kamal Nath after a high-level meeting on the Cow Shelter Bill on Wednesday, reported the 

Recently several incidents were reported in which cow vigilantes had attacked trucks transporting cattle. 

Dissent within the party is also believed to be one of the reasons for the government order. On Thursday, Congress legislator Arif Masood had claimed that none of the three accused was involved in cow slaughter, adding that the government should also act against cow vigilantes. Invoking of the NSA was also criticised by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh.