New Delhi, Mar 29: Despite a decline in communal incidents, over 270 such cases were reported from across the country in 2011 that claimed 44 lives, the government said today.
"There is a declining trend in the number of communal incidents and the persons killed and injured therein," Minister of State for Minority Affairs Vincent Pala said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
Pala said that "during the year 2011 (January to June), 271 communal incidents were reported in the country in which 44 persons were killed and 783 persons were injured."
"During the corresponding period in 2010, a total of 380 communal incidents were reported in the country, in which 66 persons were killed and 1,084 persons were injured," he said.
The minister also noted that under the Prime Minister's 15-point programme, 15 per cent of expenditure of a number of Ministries/Departments has been earmarked for the development of minorities under various schemes.
He also added that a number of suggestions from various quarters have been received for further improving the implementation of the programmes meant for the welfare of the minorities in the country.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST