<b>PM allays Muslims` fears</b>

The Prime Minister has assured that full responsibility for the security of Muslims will be taken by the Government, the Centre for Muslim Ethnic Studies (CMES) said yesterday.

The CMES met with the PM last Friday to discuss the security threats faced by the Muslims of the Eastern Province following the recent violence against Muslims by the LTTE.

The CMES also drew attention to some issues and received assurance from the PM. These included the effects on the security of Muslims in the face of the withdrawal of government forces, the involvement of Muslim leaders, intellectuals, NGOs and professionals in negotiations to find solutions to the north east problem and the revision of the present monitoring committees with more eligible members and powers to deal in critical times.

"The Prime Minister listened to these requests very patiently and told the delegation that the Government would not give any chance for another violence against Muslims, it would assure the safety and security of Muslims, would not withdraw the forces fully, the forces will be re-located in nearby areas from schools and other religious places and that Muslims need not worry about the withdrawal of forces," the CMES said.

According to the CMES the PM also agreed that there were some shortcomings on the part of the police in the Eastern Province and assured the CMES delegation that necessary steps would be taken to correct those shortcomings.

"The PM said that the Muslims are also citizens of this country and they are not second to any citizens," the CMES said adding that the CMES had been requested to submit its proposals and suggestions with regard to the monitoring committees and ongoing peace proposals to the PM.

The CMES delegation comprised MP M.I. Uthumalebbe, CMES Director for Statistics and Research Engineer A. Sulaima Lebbe, Moulavi Hifzur Rahman of the Jamiath-Ul-Ulema, Former P.S member S.A Azam, Journalist Irfan Moulana, Dr. Zakir of Mutur 3 CD Organisation, former MP M .N. Iyub, R.M.Q. Khan of North Muslim Organisation, M.I. Safeek of MICH, Ashraff Hussain of International Y.M.M.A, A. A. Marleen PC- President MICH, Secretary General of All Ceylon Muslim League Fawzul Khalid, M. I. M. Mohideen and several other members from various organisations.

Courtesy: The Island