Washington: In view of rising racial tensions in United States in the aftermath of September 11 terrorist attacks, American probe agency the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has assured Sikh and Muslim leaders that it was ready to take "strong and immediate action against hate crimes".

"Protecting the civil rights of all Americans remains a top priority for the FBI. I am vitally concerned that the rights of Muslim, Sikh and Arab Americans are protected," FBI director Robert Mueller told a delegation of Sikh, Muslim and Arab- American leaders last week.

The FBI stands ready to take "strong and immediate action against hate crimes in response to the word events", Mueller was quoted as saying by a FBI release.

Manjit Singh, chairman of the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, who met the FBI Chief, said, "At this time of vulnerability in our community, we feel that it is very important to maintain open communications with the FBI."

Mueller sought co-operation of the community leaders in dealing with the challenge and both sides stressed on the need to improve cultural sensitivity, the release said.

PTI