PM for "deterrent punishment" for commual forces

Prime minister Manmohan Singh today favoured a "very deterent punishment" for the forces which threaten the communal harmony, integrity and peaceful co-existence in the country.

Inaugurating the National Integration Council meeting here today Singh termed the recent communal violence that had rocked the states like Orissa, and Karnataka as "most disturbing and dangerous."

"This atmosphere of hatred and violence is being arrtificially generated." he said.

Referring to the spate of attacks on Christians in these two states, Singh said  "there are forces deliberately encouraging such tendencies and also spawning militant outfits who engage in irrational violence. These need to be firmly dealt with," he said.

The day-long meeting is being attended by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers and Chief Ministers.

The NIC meeting is being held after nearly three years.