Sikhs withdraw protest in Mumbai

The Sikh body heading the protests takes this step after Dy CM RR Patil promises a probe into the killing of a community member.

Guru Singh Sabha, a Sikh body heading the protests against the killing of a community member by Dera Sacha Sauda chief's bodyguard, on Saturday agreed to withdraw the agitation after Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil promised a thorough probe into the incident.

A delegation, including former Maharashtra Director General of Police PS Pasricha and MLC Charansingh Sapra met the deputy chief minister.

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Sapra, however, later said the protests would continue in a 'democratic manner' untill Dera chief Ram Rahim Singh was arrested. "The Sikh community members would not resort to any kind of violence."

Patil later told reporters that if required, police will summon Ram Rahim Singh for questioning in the last night's incident at suburban Mulund where one person was killed.

Patil also said the Dera chief had informed the authorities about his arrival in Mumbai.

He also said government will think on whether security persons from other states should be allowed to operate in the state in future. "State police are well capable of providing security to any person," he said.

Meanwhile, Sapra appealed to onlookers who had footage of last night's firing on their mobiles, to come forward and provide evidence to the authorities.