Maharashtra CM appeals for calm

Vilasrao Deshmukh appeals to the Sikhs, who are protesting against Dera Sacha Sauda chief, to refrain from violence and maintain calm.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Monday appealed to the Sikhs in the state, who are protesting against the killing of a community member by Dera Sacha Sauda chief's bodyguard, to refrain from violence and maintain calm.

HT Image

The agitation comes ahead of the forthcoming tercentenary celebration of Gur-ta-Gaddi, beginning in October at Nanded.

"Sikhs have strong faith in peace and nothing should be done which will hamper the Gur-ta-gaddi celebrations in the state this year," Deshmukh said, after meeting with a delegation of Sikhs in Mumbai on Monday.

"Sikhs in Mumbai and the state are against any violence and we will cooperate with police on the issue. The Government should ban the Dera chief's entry into the state," Congress MLC Charan Singh Sapra said.

"Police are investigating the incident and the events in the aftermath of the firing," Deshmukh said.

Meanwhile, official sources said that a delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal led by Sukhbir Singh Badal would meet the Chief Minister in connection with the incidents.