AAP MP Bhagwant Mann meets Rajnath, urges him to ensure peace in Punjab

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party MP from Punjab Bhagwant Mann today met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and urged him to ensure peace in Punjab, which is witnessing protests over alleged desecration of holy books.

During the 15-minute meeting, Mann conveyed to the Home Minister that the situation in Punjab was "very disturbing" in the wake of recent untoward incidents.

Sources said the Home Minister gave him a patient hearing and told him that he has already spoken to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and reviewed with him the prevailing situation in the state.

Meanwhile, Chairman of International Sikh Council Muktiyar Singh also met the Home Minister and urged him to ensure that people living in Punjab are safe and secure and peace is maintained in the state.

Punjab has been witnessing a spate of protests over alleged incidents of sacrilege in different parts of the state.

Concerned over desecration of Sikh holy books in Punjab, the Home Minister spoke to the Chief Minister on Monday and assured him "all possible help" from the Centre to meet the situation that has arisen because of these incidents.

During the conversation, Singh conveyed to Badal that the central government was concerned over the situation in Punjab and asked the chief minister to take necessary steps to maintain peace in the state.

He promised all help to defuse the tension prevailing in the state.

Singh later apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the Punjab situation and details of his conversation with Badal.

Opposition Congress has alleged that law and order in the state has collapsed and President's Rule should be imposed immediately.

Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of sikhs, as also SGPC, Badal and Congress leaders have already appealed for peace in the state.