Situation in Punjab 'not quite normal': Chidambaram

NEW DELHI: Terming the situation in Punjab as "not quite normal", Home Minister P Chidambaram today said the Centre has asked the state government to enforce curfew strictly in all areas where violence broke out after the killing of a sect leader in Austria.

The Centre has also responded to the state's request for additional companies of para-military companies by sending 2,500 personnel and a helicopter, he told reporters after assuming office here.

"We have already provided 14 companies (1,400 personnel) of paramilitary forces. They are already in place since morning. Eleven more (companies) are moving. We have also provided a helicopter to the state government," he said.

Expressing concern over the violence which spread from Jalandhar to the neighbouring districts of Phagwara, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahar, the Home Minister said the situation in the state is "not quite normal".

"We are informed that curfew was imposed in Jalandhar and some other places. But our information is that though the curfew was imposed, it was not enforced strictly. There are TV visuals of people moving in Jalandhar and some other places," he said.

The Home Minister said the Centre has asked the Punjab government to enforce curfew wherever imposed. "The decision to impose curfew was of the state government and once it has been imposed, it must be enforced," he said.