By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : In the backdrop of continuing attacks on Christians in Orissa and Karnataka, a meeting of the National Integration Council has been convened here on October 13 in an apparent move to evolve a consensus on tackling the communal situation.
Convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the meeting will discuss all matters impacting national integration, Minister of State for Home Shakeel Ahmed said.
There have been demands for the dismissal of the BJD-BJP government in Orissa in the wake of communal violence in the Kandamal district and the Prime Minister had recently said that a special meeting of the Union Cabinet could be convened soon to discuss ways and means to deal with the issue.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil had sent several advisories to the Naveen Patnaik government to get its act together to check the violence. Patil’s strongly-worded letter to Patnaik on the situation had triggered speculation that the Centre could take the extreme action.
In the wake of the Union Cabinet expressing concern over the Kandhamal situation on Friday, Patil asked the Chief Minister to take effective steps and provide security to people in the violence-hit district.
Contesting the Centre’s charge, the Chief Minister said that his government was doing everything possible to contain the situation.