Union cabinet discusses security scenario

The security scenario in the country in the wake of serial blasts in Assam and the attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra are understood to have figured prominently during the meeting of the union cabinet on Thursday night.
       
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, took place on a day when the blasts in the northeastern state claimed 61 lives.
       
Home Minister Shivraj Patil is understood to have briefed the cabinet on the prevailing security scenario in the country as also measures to contain the possibility of a flare-up in the wake

attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra.
       
Union Ministers from Bihar Lalu Prasad of Rashtriya Janata Dal and Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party have criticised the Congress-led Maharashtra government's handling of the hate campaign launched by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray as also its "failure" to protect the North Indians in the state.
       
Though there was no official word on what transpired at the cabinet meeting, an official spokesperson said a media briefing on the meeting, which went till late into the night, will be held on Friday.