PM speaks to Maharashtra CM, asks him to protect all

NEW DELHI: Apparently concerned over the situation in Maharashtra where north Indians have been targeted, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight spoke to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and asked him to ensure safety of all sections of the society.

During the telephonic conversation with Deshmukh, the Prime Minister enquired about the situation in Maharashtra, PMO sources said.

Singh, who had a meeting with an all-party delegation of leaders from Bihar today, asked the Chief Minister to "take all necessary steps to ensure safety of all sections of the society," they said.

The all-party delegation from Bihar met Singh and voiced concern over the attacks on north Indians in Maharashtra by activists of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Leaders of parties across the political spectrum in Bihar, including rivals opposition RJD and ruling JD(U), came together to approach the Prime Minister to seek his intervention to stop violence against north Indians in Maharashtra.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad sought stern action against MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

They also sought a judicial probe into the killing of a gun-wielding youth from Patna in a city bus in Mumbai on Monday.