New Delhi, April 29 (IANS) Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday said the Gujarat government was duty bound to provide security to police officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who has filed an affidavit implicating Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 riots.

 
 "I think it is the duty of the state government to ensure his security and that no harm comes to him," Chidambaram told reporters at his monthly press conference.
 
 He was reacting to reports that security cover of Bhatt has been removed.
 
 Bhatt, in his affidavit, has said Modi, in his Feb 27, 2002, meeting after the Godhra train burning in which 59 Hindu devotees were killed, told officials: "This time the situation warrants that the Muslims be taught a lesson to ensure that such incidents do not recur ever again."
 
 "The chief minister expressed the view that emotions were running very high among the Hindus and it was imperative that they be allowed to vent their anger," said Bhatt's affidavit, made available to the media.
 
 Bhatt and his friends have claimed that the Gujarat government has removed his security.