Firmly tackle communal disturbances across country: PM

He said it should be ensured that local issues are not exploited by vested interests

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday urged security-related establishments to act firmly to prevent communal disturbances in any part of the country.

Addressing state directors general of police and inspectors general of police at Vigyan Bhawan here, Dr. Singh said: "During the current year, some states have witnessed a substantial increase in the number of communal incidents."

"State DGPs present here have the responsibility to ensure that their police force acts in the required manner in preventing communal actions," he added.

"Once disturbances occur they must be tackled with the utmost firmness, without prejudice, fear or favour," he said.

"Our law and order agencies must ensure that trivial or local issues are not exploited by vested interests to inflame communal passions," Dr. Singh added.

Specifically referring to the recent communal clash in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister said: "A major communal clash in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh took place in September, and took a large toll of lives, and displaced thousands of people."

"We witnessed misuse of social media and SMSes to fan violence during the recent disturbances in Muzaffarnagar, and also last year," Dr. Singh said.

Beginning on August 27, clashes between the Hindu and Muslim communities in Muzaffarnagar District claimed 43 lives and injured 93.

Curfew was only lifted on September 17, nearly three weeks after the first set of riots had occurred. The army, which also had to be called in to quell the disturbances, was also withdrawn at the time.

The attacks have been described as "the worst violence in Uttar Pradesh in recent memory."

The army was deployed for a civilian-related problem in the state for the first time in 20 years.

The three-day annual conference of Directors General of Police/ Inspectors General of Police of States, Union Territories and Heads of the Central Police Organisations (CPOs) began on November 21.

It was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Singh released a commemorative postage stamp and presented the President's Police Medals for Distinguished Service to awardees.