Punjab cabinet resolves to preserve peace

Chandigarh, May 18 (UNI) The Punjab cabinet today reiterated the government's ''firm resolve to preserve peace and communal harmony and maintain law and order in the state at every cost.'' ''It was also resolved in the meeting that no one would be allowed to take law into his hands and anyone trying to do so, would be dealt with firmly,'' Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said after a Cabinet meeting which reviewed the law and order situation in the wake of clashes over the Dera Sacha Sauda controversy. The Council of Ministers also appealed to the people of Punjab to continue to ''preserve traditional Punjab unity, communal harmony and peace under any circumstances.'' Mr Badal said the meeting was of the view that despite grave provocation, the situation in the State had remained totally under control.

He said barring few ''unpleasant incidents'' at three or four places, the whole of the state had remained peacefuland free from communal tension.

UNI