Against the backdrop of incidents of lynching  in the country  and civil protests against them, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi  on Thursday  asserted that  there was no atmosphere of fear or insecurity prevailing among the minority  community.

The Minister of State for Minority Affairs alleged "hostile forces" were behind such incidents and maintained that such "tactics" will not be allowed to succeed.

Naqvi, who was  attending the 76th meeting of Central Waqf Council here, however, stressed that the incidents cannot be justified and pitched for tough action against the perpetrators.He said safety of every section of the society was "equally important" for the Centre.

"I do not think there is fear or insecurity among minorities. But whatever incidents are taking place, be it small or big, be it a criminal conspiracy, in no way it is justified. Action should be taken as per law against them," the minister said.

Asked which forces were behind such incidents, Naqvi skirted the query.

He said the state governments (given law and order is a state subject) concerned were taking "immediate and effective" action against the people involved.

"The governments of Rajasthan, Haryana and Jharkhand have without wasting any time taken action against such people. I myself had spoken to the chief ministers and officials of these states," he said.

The minister said the measures the Centre had taken during the last three years of its rule were a reflection of its "empowerment without appeasement" policy, which he added, has created an "atmosphere of development and trust".

On the irregularities relating to  the Wakf properties, Naqvi said  more than 2,000 cases of encroachment of waqf properties have been filed over the past one-and-half years and strict action is being taken against the accused.

The minister of state for minority affairs said the government will not spare those who have occupied waqf properties illegally.

"More than 2,000 criminal cases have been filed over the past one-and-half years. We want to free these properties from the clutches of mafias no matter how strong they are," Naqvi told newspersons after the meeting . eom