Terrorists may attempt to disrupt LS, Assembly polls: PM

He has asked security forces to remain alert

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday warned terrorist groups might try to disrupt the forthcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls and asked security forces to remain alert. Voicing concern over a "substantial increase" in the number of communal incidents in some states, he said they must be tackled with utmost firmness, without prejudice, fear or favour.

"There is a likelihood of attempts (by terror groups) to disrupt the forthcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The security forces need to be careful," the Prime Minister said while addressing a conference of country's top police brass here. Referring to the recent communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining districts in Uttar Pradesh which claimed many lives and displaced thousands, Singh said law and order agencies must ensure trivial or local issues were not exploited by vested interests to inflame communal passions.

He said state DGPs have the responsibility to ensure their police force acted in the required manner in preventing communal actions. Expressing concern over misuse of social media for fanning tension in the society, Singh said the country had witnessed misuse of social media and SMSes during the recent disturbances in Muzaffarnagar and also last year.

Against the backdrop of rape and other crimes, the Prime Minister favoured putting in place institutional mechanisms to ensure safety and security of women and children. Addressing a conference of top police brass of the country, Singh said the tragic rape and murder of a young girl in Delhi last December not only brought into sharp focus the issue of women's safety but also the rising expectations of the people from the police in preventing such crimes.

"We have recently enacted several laws providing stringent punishment for such crimes and more sensitive treatment of victims during investigation and trial. "We also need to put in place other institutional mechanisms to ensure the safety and security of women and children. I expect the DGPs of states to show leadership in this area," he said.

The Prime Minister, however, did not elaborate what the institutional mechanism would be. The comments come amid raging controversy over the alleged sexual assault on a woman colleague by Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal.

After the December 16 incident, the government had amended various provisions of law and strengthened those related to crime against women and children.