'Need to restrain communal violence and maintain harmony': Shinde

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Monday said there is a need to restrain communal violence and maintain harmony.

Shinde, who was speaking at the National Integration Council (NIC) meet here, also said there is a need to strengthen the forces of national integration.peaking about the security and safety of women, Shinde said no country can progress unless they treat women respectfully.

The NIC meet, which is chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, is convened in the backdrop of the Muzaffarnagar violence in Uttar Pradesh.

The NIC will discuss safety and security of women, confidence-building measures taken to tackle communal disturbances and involving all sections of society in removing communal tension.

The NIC will also discuss steps taken to tackle crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).