Farooq Abdullah wants Centre, UP govt to take steps to stop violence

SRINAGAR: Expressing concern over the communal violence in Muzaffarnagar, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah today asked the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government to chalk out a strategy to curb such incidents and ensure adequate protection to minorities.

"The acts of communal violence in a democratic country like India is very unfortunate... There are some elements in the country who do not want to see Hindus and Muslims live together and are bent upon dividing the nation on linguistic, religious and geographical considerations," Abdullah said in a statement here.

He appealed to the people of Muzaffarnagar to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood and reject the subversive elements.

"I am hopeful that the Centre and the state government will join hands to bring the situation under control in the violence-hit areas and ensure protection to minorities," he said.

The union minister also appealed to President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and secular leadership of the country to chalk out a joint strategy to check such type of incidents in future.

Abdullah, who is also president of ruling National Conference, welcomed the Prime Minister's financial assistance package for the protection and rehabilitation of minorities.