By IANS,
New Delhi : The central government has alerted the states against attempts to incite communal tension following violent protests in various places in Kashmir and Malerkota town in Punjab.
While the protest in Kashmir, where 11 people were killed Monday, was triggered by a report on Iranian TV channel Press TV that the Quran had been desecrated in the US, tension in Punjab followed rumours that the holy book had been burnt in Michigan.
The government has alerted states to keep vigil in communally-sensitive places where there is substantial Muslim or Christian population, said a senior home ministry official.
The central government is in constant touch with the state administration in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary S.S. Kapur told reporters that the report from Press TV was baseless. It also banned the telecast of Press TV in the state.
“Southern states have been asked to be alert in the backdrop of recent activities of extremist outfits like the Popular Front (PF),” the home ministry official added.