New Delhi, Jun 5 (IANS): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday urged all chief ministers to firmly deal with communal forces as communal harmony was critical for the growth and prosperity of the country.

Addressing chief ministers at the conference on internal security, he said the impact of increasing incidents of communal and sectarian violence required their special attention.

Pointing to the “increase in number and intensity of incidents of communal and sectarian violence during 2012 as compared to the previous year”, he said: “I am sure that all of us agree that maintenance of communal harmony in our country is critical for our continued growth and prosperity.

“It is absolutely imperative that we deal very firmly with communal forces of all types,” he said.

“Simultaneously, we also need to recognise and address the special needs of minorities and weaker sections of our society, particularly Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.”