New Delhi, Dec 31: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has assured Gladys Staines, wife of slain Australian missionary Graham Staines that the Government is taking all necessary steps to restore peace in Orissa.

Dr. Singh further assured her that the Government would take steps to safeguard the fundamental rights and liberties of all sections of society and to protect the religious freedom of the people of the State.
 
The Prime Minister also added that he had a talk with Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the matter.

Earlier, Gladys Staines had written a letter to the Prime Minister to express her anguish at the incidents of violence in Orissa.

Graham Staines and his two minor sons were burnt alive in Orissa on January 22, 1999.

Hindu activist Dara Singh is serving a life sentence for the murder of Staines and his two minor sons. (ANI)