NEW DELHI: The Government on Thursday assured the Lok Sabha that appropriate action would be taken and necessary help extended to the Punjab Government in dealing with the situation arising out of the Dera Sacha Sauda incident.

Responding to the demand by the Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party members seeking the arrest of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said nobody could support whatever had happened in Punjab.

"We have great regard for the Sikh religion," Mr. Patil said, adding that he had spoken to Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana and other States over the issue. He assured the members that whatever was legally possible would be done.

Mr. Patil said that law would take its own course and appropriate action would be taken against those who "have done any wrong." He said all steps would be taken to ensure peace.

Plea for CBI probe

Raising the matter during zero hour, R.S. Ajnala (Akali Dal) said Punjab had been burning for the past three days and Sikhs were "insulted" by the Sacha Sauda chief. He sought the arrest of the sect chief and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the entire affair. He was supported by the BJP members.

Mr. Ajnala accused the Congress of supporting the Dera Sacha Sauda chief who had asked the people to vote for the Congress in the Assembly elections. He charged the Congress with reviving militancy in Punjab.

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