Those guilty of communal violence will be punished: PM

Expresses concern over misuse of social media in inciting communal violence

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday expressed concern over the increasing incidents of communal violence and said those found involved "will be punished".

"Government should do everything to act against those spreading communal violence, no matter how powerful they are. Anyone from any party found involved in such incidents will be punished," the prime minister said at the inauguration of the National Integration Council (NIC) meet here.

The prime minister said the meet had a special significance in light of the communal violence in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

At least 48 people were killed in communal clashes that broke out in Muzaffarnagar September 7.

"The Muzaffarnagar violence led to a huge loss of lives and property. We have seen communal violence in Kashmir and Assam in the past few months," the prime minister said.

"The government needs to take every step possible to deal with this violence," he said.

He also expressed concern over misuse of social media in inciting communal violence.

"Social media has been used fan communal violence. Earlier social media was also used to trigger violence against people of the north-east. We must find a way to stop misuse of social media," he said.