SGPC appeals for peace after Sikh community protest

Mumbai, Jun 22 (UNI) Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the apex body of the Sikh community, today appealed for peace after a group of SGPC members went on a rampage here to protest the killing of a community member allegedly by the Dera Sachcha Sauda Chief Baba Ram Rahim's bodyguard.

A five-member delegation of SGPC led by its President Avtar Singh Makkar visited Mumbai and appealed for peace in the area.

The SGPC has also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the two injured.

Balkar Singh Thakur (40) was killed in a firing allegedly by Dera Chief's security guard outside a mall in suburban Mulund on Friday evening. The securityman also assaulted some other community members, leaving two injured.

Talking to mediapersons, the SGPC president said he was in the metropolis on a fact-finding mission. ''As an elected President of SGPC, I represent the entire Sikh community. I appeal to Sikhs to maintain calm and not allow themselves to be provoked.'' According to reports, the delegation members will visit the residence of the deceased and meet members of local Sikh bodies, police officials and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil to ascertain the ground situation and find out the cause behind the incident.

Those accompanying the SGPC president were SGPC General Secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Secretaries Ranvir Singh, Ragujit Singh Virk and Gurbachan Singh Karmoowala.

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