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Monday, May 21, 2007

Punjab The Latest as it comes - Breaking News

Sikhs call for Sirsa bandh today No apology, says Dera

Kiran Deep

Tribune News Service


Sirsa, May 21

Ignoring Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's advice, the Dera Sacha Sauda again refused to tender an apology here today.
Chief spokesman of the dera Aditya Arora said Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had expressed regret over the controversy but that failed to check the violence in Punjab and Haryana.
"If an effort is not made to understand whatever we have tried to convey, then we did not have any other way to address the issue". He said, while answering a query about the possibility of apology by the dera chief, while addressing a press conference in the dera.
He said,"We have full faith in all religion, but no one understands our feelings. We have appealed to the President and the Prime Minister to intervene on the issue. We have received response in term of that the security has been increased."
He stressed that Punjab government should sort out the issue. The government should protect the deras as there is no question of vacating the deras. "If situation arises, we have legal option to protect our rights. The attempt should have been made by the government to mediate between Sikh hardliners and the dera management to find out some solution", he added.
Meanwhile fearing attack on dera in the wake of the threat against the dera chief, the security has been further tightened. In addition to it, after the withdrawal of security guards from the dera chief security by the Punjab government, the Haryana government has provided two more gunmen for his security.
All ways led to the dera chief residence has been sealed. During nights, dera followers were holding nakas all along the roads.
The Sikh organisation has called for a bandh in Sirsa tomorrow following the edict of the Akal Takht against the dera chief after holding meeting in Chilasahib Gurdwara.
It is learnt that efforts have been made to sort out the issue with the intervention of religious leader Swami Agnivesh. He is believed to have been chosen to hold dialogue to solve the dispute.

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