Achieved success in internal security: PM

New Delhi, Aug 15 (IANS) The government had achieved success in many areas of internal security, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Wednesday, citing the example of Jammu and Kashmir where people had participated in large numbers in the panchayat elections.

"The government had achieved success in many areas of internal security. In Jammu and Kashmir, people participated in large numbers in the panchayat elections," Manmohan Singh said while addressing the nation on its 66th Independence Day.

"There has been a reduction in violence in the northeastern states," he said, adding that the government was "engaged in dialogue with many groups there so that they can join the mainstream of development".

He also listed efforts to deal with the Maoist problem.

"Maoism is still a serious problem. We have initiated new schemes of development in areas affected by Maoist violence to ensure that the grievances of the people residing there, especially our brothers and sisters belonging to Scheduled Tribes, can be removed and their lot can be improved," said the prime minister.

He stressed the need to be constantly vigilant as far as internal security was concerned and said communal harmony had to be maintained at all costs.

Citing the recent blasts in Pune early this month, he said more work needed to be done in the area of national security.