'3,800 communal incidents last five years'

New government figures show alarming increase in communal violence with more than 3,800 such cases reported in the last five years.

The year 2008 reported the highest number of communal incidents with most recorded from Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The data presented to the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ajay Maken, shows that at least two incidents of communal violence were reported everyday. However, 11 states and union territories did not report any incident last year.

The total number of communal incidents recorded from the year 2004-2008 was approximately 3,858. Of this, 677 were reported in 2004, 779 in 2005, 698 in 2006, 761 in 2007 and 943 in 2008.

The data reveals that Maharashtra reported 681 communal clashes followed by Madhya Pradesh where 654 cases were reported and Uttar Pradesh 613 cases.

The report has come in the wake of a communal violence bill introduced in the Parliament.

The Communal violence (prevention, control and rehabilitation of victims) Bill, 2005, assumes significance against the backdrop of a string of communal violence reported against Christians and other religious minorities.

The bill, apart from helping the government declaring an area in a state as communally disturbed, will also empower it to send central security forces without the state's request.

Additionally, it will support the transfer of cases outside the state concerned for trial and take steps to protect witnesses.