Bangalore, Feb. 12 In the backdrop of threats issued by some outfits to organize protests on Valentine's Day, Home Minister P Chidambaram has asked the Karnataka CM to ensure law and order by taking "preventive and punitive" action in the state.

Chidambaram has written a letter to Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa drawing his attention to reports of Rashtriya Hindu Sena and Sri Ram Sene were planning to organize protests across the state on February 14.

"Statements of leaders of these parties are a threat to law and order. I hope the state government would take preventive and punitive action to ensure that no organization took the role of self-styled arbitrator of morals and morality," the Home Minister's letter read.

Chidambaram also told the Karnataka government that the Centre was ready to send additional help to maintain peace in the state, if required.

"The Centre hoped that such organizations will not involve in acts illegal and disruptive for peace and law and order," Chidambaram told Yeddyurappa in his letter.

Sri Ram Sene activists and a few fringe saffron outfits have threatened to disrupt Valentine's Day celebrations in Karnataka.

Bajrang Dal and several other hardliner outfits have called for a nationwide ban on the Valantine's Day.

Meanwhile, Sri Ram Sene chief has called off its proposed protests against Valentine's Day protests in Bengaluru retaining it in the other parts of the state. He said the decision was taken after receiving specific information that some miscreants were planning to disrupt peace and blame Ram Sene. (ANI)