Dullo appeals for maintaining peace, communal harmony in Punjab

Chandigarh, May 21 (UNI) Expressing deep concern over the turn of events following Dera Sacha Sauda controversy, Punjab Congress President Shamsher Singh Dullo today appealed to all Sant Samaj, religious, social and secular-political organisations to cooperate in maintaining peace and communal harmony in the state.

Holding the present Akali-BJP Government responsible for the present impasse, Mr Dullo termed the brandishing of swords in Harmandir Sahib at Amristar and other cities of Punjab as ''unfortunate''.

He said inspite of imposition of Section 144, marching in the streets with naked swords speaks volumes of the ''connivance of the Administration'' with those bent upon creating terror and disturbing peace in the state.

Instead of keeping their outfits under control, the Akali-BJP Government is giving free hand to them to shift the focus of people from their basic needs and development of the state.

He said despite putting blame on the Congress for its failures, the Congress has always rendered helping hand to theGovernment for establishing peace.

Mr Dullo said despite offer of full cooperation to the State Government for restoration of peace and tranquility, the Government was running away from its fundamental duty to safeguard the life and property of the citizens irrespective of their religious or political affiliations.

The Government should help create an atmosphere of confidence amongst citizens to prevent them from migrating to safer places, he added.

The PPCC President said Congress is a secular party which has made numerous sacrifices for the unity and integrity of the country right from the freedom struggle and will not allow the hard earned peace in the state to be ransacked.

Mr Dullo said the Party had made thousands of sacrifices during 1978-1995 and appealed to the ruling party to rise above the narrow political motives and make concerted efforts for maintaining long term peace and tranquility in the state and safeguard the life and property of the people.

UNI