Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the situation in certain parts of the northeast remains a matter of concern and that the writ of the state should be "firmly" established in all these areas.

He said state police and the central paramilitary forces should take firm action against those who take the law into their own hands.

"In the northeast, the situation in general is better today than it was in the recent past, but some areas of concern still remain.

"In Manipur, for example, the Naga-Metei divide has accentuated. The unfortunate growth of identity-based assertiveness in the north east, particularly in Manipur and the North Cachar Hills, needs well thought-out and sensitive handling," Singh said while addressing a three-day Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police here.

He said, "The situation in Darjeeling hill area also needs a careful watch. The writ of the state should be firmly established in all these areas. The state police and the central paramilitary forces should take firm action against those who take the law into their own hands."

Singh said in other areas in the north east, there is a need to consolidate the gains of the past while, at the same time, ensuring that new problems do not arise.