Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today admitted that incidents of communal violence have increased in the country and cautioned all states to remain alert and foil any attempt to disturb peace ahead of the general elections.        

"Communal violence incidents have increased since last year. While 410 incidents occurred in the country last year, this year, till now, 451 incidents have taken place," he told reporters in New Delhi.        

Shinde said all states have been "alerted" in view of this and he has personally called up Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today and discussed the subject.        

Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth had yesterday directed all states to firmly deal with incidents of communal violence and warned that communal polarisation may vitiate the country's social fabric ahead of general elections.