Arrest Baba Ram Rahim: Parkash singh Badal

Amritsar, Jun 21: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has demanded of the Maharashtra government to immediately arrest Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh over the killing of one person by his security guards on Friday(June 20) evening in Mumbai.

Talking to media persons at the Golden Temple, Badal said that he talked to Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and also the State Director General of Police about the incident, and conveyed his concern over the incident. Terming the incident as "tragic and shocking", Badal said that the responsible persons should be immediately arrested. Meanwhile, three people have been arrested in connection with the killing of Balkar Singh, a Sikh who was protesting against the presence of Ram Rahim in Mumbai. Balkar was killed when members of the Dera Chief's security convoy fired at the protestors in a mall here last night.

According to sources, the Sikh community here announced that the cremation of Balkar would not take place unless Baba Ram Rahim is arrested.

The Dera chief had gone to visit the Nirmal shopping complex in Mulund where members of the Sikh group were also present. An altercation ensued, followed by exchange of fire between the two groups.

Meanwhile, state's Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Several Sikh organizations have been staging protest in and outside Punjab against the Dera Chief and demanded his arrest.

A large number of Sikh protestors blocked Lal Bahadur Shastri road and the Eastern Express Highway following the incident.

The Dera chief had sparked a huge uproar by the Sikhs a few months back after he allegedly tried to imitate the dress and activities of the Guru Gobind Singh. He had tendered an apology, saying he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the Sikhs, but the Sikh clerics had rejected his apology.

ANI