Respite - the latest from Punjab

Chandigarh, May 18Deployment of para military forces and promulgation of prohibitory orders notwithstanding, stray incidents of violence, arson and protests were reported from different parts of Punjab where the overall situation continued to be tense but under control on the fifth day today.
Besides sealing of the Punjab and Haryana border, paramilitary forces have taken position in sensitive and vulnerable areas where they held flag marches after promulgation of prohibitory orders.
Schools will remain closed in many districts tomorrow as assembly of five or more persons, taking out of processions and carrying of firearms have been prohibited under Section 144 of the Cr PC.
Though both the Sikh organisations and the Dera Sacha Sauda indicated no reconciliatory move to defuse situation, the Punjab Government reiterated that it would deal any law and order situation arising out of the current controversy with an iron hand.
The SAD-BJP government, which assumed office only in first week of March, also wanted a message to go to the intended investors, especially multinational and foreign companies, that no laxity would be shown towards those trying to disturb the peaceful environs in the state.
Meanwhile, The Punjab Council of Ministers, which met under Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today, held that despite grave provocation, situation in the state had remained totally under control. Barring a few unpleasant incidents, the state remained peaceful and free from communal tension.
The government's firm resolve to preserve peace and communal harmony besides maintenance of law and order at all costs was reiterated. An appeal was made to the people to preserve traditional Punjabi unity, communal harmony and peace.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister reviewed the situation at a meeting with the Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh, Principal Secretary Home Bhushan Chander Gupta and Director-General NPS Aulakh. Strict instructions were issued to all DCs and SSPs to take measures to maintain and peace and communal harmony.
Underlining the need to involve members of all political parties, social organisations and prominent people, they have been issued instructions to hold meetings of peace committees in the district and at sub divisional towns to seek their support and cooperation to maintain peace and communal harmony.
Though a near-complete bandh was observed in many cities and towns today, two shops and as many houses were ransacked in Dhuri as members of various Sikh organisations held demonstrations and protests throughout the state.
Tension escalated in Sunam where an agitated mob wanted to take out the body of Kamaljit Singh in a procession after post-mortem examination. Kamaljit had died of bullet injuries outside Sunam Dera of Sacha Sauda. Senior leaders of various Sikh organisations, however, prevailed upon the agitated mourners.
In Bathinda, the Judicial Accountability and Human Rights Protection Organisation (NZ) moved a petition before the local police demanding registration of a criminal case against five Congress MLAs of the Malwa belt for inciting violence yesterday.
Though the police registered two cases in Bathinda yesterday, the allegations made by the organisation were being investigated. No case has been registered.