Punjab govt committed to restore peace: media adviser

Chandigarh, May 22 (UNI) Even as the 'bandh' passed off peacefully in the border state, the Punjab Government reaffirmed its commitment to "unwind the tangle" (Sacha Sauda issue) through peaceful processes and restore peace.

"The stand of the government is that the law of the country will prevail and peace will be maintained", Chief Minister's Media Adviser Harcharan Bains said at a mediapersons here this evening.

Answering questions on the May 27 deadline set by the Akal Takht to shut down all Sacha Sauda centers in the state, Mr Bains maintained that there was time for the government to "unwind the tangle".

"There is time for us to try out all kinds of peace processes to restore peace", he said when asked whether Sacha Sauda 'deras' could be vacated. " There is no deadline for peace, whether May 27 of thereafter", he added while maintaining that he could not be speculative.

Replying to another querry, Mr Bains maintained that the dominant feeling in Punjab was that an apology by the Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh was the only way out to restore peace.

The Media Adviser made it clear that the government was " not going to lower its vigil", even though the 'bandh' was peaceful in the state.

Refering to todays 'bandh', Mr Bains said it was spontaneous and peaceful and there was no incident of violence. There were places where demonstrations were held but that at no place did the police have to use force to restore order, he added.

On behalf of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, he thanked the people of Punjab and all religious and social organisations and political parties for their supportive role during the 'bandh'. The situation was handled in a highly professional manner by the administration, particularly the police, he added.

"The situation was handled tactfully, firmly and with restrain", he claimed. Some attempts were made to "cross the line of law" but the administration ultimately prevailed, he added.

UNI