Mr Fernandes, who met violence-affected people at relief camps during the past two days, said riot-victims were still not in favour of the withdrawal of the Army though there was a marked improvement in the situation.

He also stressed the need for communal harmony and improving relations among people living in the affected areas.

He said the state government would take care of relief and rehabilitation of the violence-affected people. Mr Fernandes also pointed out that peace was prevailing in the state which enabled the authorities to hold gram panchayat elections and examinations.

But he flayed the media for “failure to highlight the facts” and said the Press should give factual reports.

Defence Minister George Fernandes today said the riot-affected people in Gujarat wanted the army to be deployed in the state even though the situation was fast returning to normal.

Mr Fernandes held discussions with military officials and the delegations of the two communities.

Meanwhile, a delegation called on Mr Fernandes and informed him that the situation in Godhra was like that along the Indo-Pakistan border.

Another delegation told the Defence Minister that it condemned the Godhra carnage and demanded that proper compensation be paid to the riot victims.

Mr Fernandes met violence-affected people at relief camps at Mandali village in Mehsana district.