In response to a letter addressed to the Prime Minister by Mrs Gladys Staines, whose husband was killed in Orissa a few years ago, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has reassured that the Government of India will take all necessary steps to protect all citizens irrespective of community or caste in accordance with the law of the land.

The text of the Prime Minister's letter written to Mrs Gladys Staines yesterday is as follows:

"Dear Mrs. Staines,

I have received your letter of December 20, 2007 expressing anguish at the recent incidents in Orissa. We are taking all steps to ensure the restoration of normalcy and to bring about harmony and peace in the affected areas. I have spoken today to the Chief Minister of Orissa in this regard. I assure you that the Government of India will take all necessary steps to safeguard the fundamental rights and liberties of all sections of our society and protect their religious freedoms as enshrined in the constitution. Please be assured that we will not tolerate any efforts aimed at disturbing the communal harmony or secular fabric of our country".