Kishanganj (Bihar): Lamenting the communal riots in Gujarat that left in its bloody trail hundreds dead and many more affected, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Apr 22, 2004) urged the people to take a resolve not to allow such incidents to recur.

''Jo Gujarat mein hua nahin hona chahiye tha. Aiye hum faisla karein ki kabhi doosra Gujarat nahin hoga. Hinduon aur Musalmanon ko ek doosre ko shak ki nigah se nahin dekhna chahiye (What happened in Gujarat should not have happened, come let us resolve that Gujarat is not repeated again. Hindus and Muslims should not live in distrust),'' Vajpayee said in his impassioned speech at an election meeting to canvass support for the lone Muslim member of his Cabinet Syed Shahnawaz Hussain.

Vajpayee, however, claimed that the number of communal riots had come down drastically during the six years of NDA (National Democratic Alliance) rule.

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Referring to easing of tensions between India and Pakistan, he said, ''If we can walk the path of peace with our estranged neighbour, why cannot we settle our problems peacefully within our own country. Removing mistrust between the two communities is most important.''

Without naming any party, the Prime Minister said some elements accused BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) of being communal. ''My Government has never discriminated against anybody on communal lines. We have treated everybody equally. We want everybody to feel safe and secure.''