New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said the active interest shown by the citizens in anti-graft movement augurs well for the country, but cautioned that excessive use of force often proves counter-productive.

His remarks come in the wake of Anna Hazare's arrest prior to his 13-day anti-graft fast last month, and the police crackdown on yoga guru Baba Ramdev at Ramlila Maidan here on June 4.

"The active interest displayed recently by the people in the national debate on corruption augurs well for the future of our country," Singh said, addressing the National Integration Council (NIC) meet here. But he did not name Hazare or his movement directly.

"Our democracy has struck deeper roots in the recent years with the strengthening of local governance institutions and a more informed and active citizenry," he added.

Hazare sat on a fast at Ramlila Maidan to press for a stronger Lokpal bill.

"In dealing with civil disturbances, which is one of the agenda items of today's meeting, we should keep in mind that excessive use of force often proves counter-productive," Singh said.

The prime minister also made a veiled reference to Hazare's stir as "misguided discontent".

"We need to distinguish between criminal activities and misguided discontent that finds unlawful expression," he said.

Manmohan Singh said it was with this intent that the home ministry had circulated instructions for dealing with crowds in a non-lethal manner.

"I urge the chief ministers to ensure that these are made operational by appropriately equipping and training the police forces," he added.

The instructions were issued late last year in the wake of stone-pelting incidents by youths and students of Jammu and Kashmir in the summer months.