Washington, Sep 18 : Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Vayalar Ravi has assured Christian leaders here that the government is keeping a close vigil on the recent spate of violence against the community in some parts of the country.

“The Government of India is in touch with the state government and has advised it to take strong measures to protect minority groups... and to suppress these brutal attacks,” said Ravi said while assuring the leaders.

“The Government of India is monitoring every day with the State Government so that there is no repeat of the incident,” he said.

The community leaders handed over a memorandum to accompanying Biju Janata Dal leader and Member of Parliament, Braja Kishore Tripathi addressed to the Chief Minister of Orissa Navin Patnaik regarding eruption of attacks against the Christians across the state.

A group of Christian leaders met Ravi during his visit to Washington as the leader of a Parliamentary delegation to draw attention to the outbreak of violence against the religious community in Orissa.

They pointed out to the Minister that such incidents in India along with extensive media coverage in US had put the country in a very bad light. (ANI)