New Delhi:
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today warned that terrorist groups may 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 officers. (
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Referring to the recent communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining districts in Uttar Pradesh which claimed many lives and displaced thousands, Dr Singh said law and order agencies must ensure that trivial or local issues are not exploited by vested interests to inflame communal passions.
"During the current year some states have witnessed a substantial increase in the number of communal incidents. We cannot afford such a state of affairs... Once disturbances occur they must be tackled with utmost firmness, without prejudice, fear or favour," he said.
The Prime Minister said top police officials in a state have the responsibility to ensure that their police force acts in the required manner in preventing communal actions.
Expressing concern over misuse of social media for fanning tension in the society, Dr Singh said the country has witnessed misuse of social media and mobile text messages during the recent disturbances, including Muzaffarnagar.
"There is a need to find creative solutions which do not curb the freedom of expression and the ease of communication that social media provides," he said.