Amid tension and clashes in several towns of Punjab between followers of Dera Sacha Sauda and Sikhs, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday maintained the situation was under control in the state and charged Congress with fomenting trouble.
Talking to media persons, Badal said he was monitoring the situation and necessary instructions had been issued to the police and civil authorities to take adequate steps to maintain law and order at all costs.
"I am concerned about peace and law and order in the state and nobody will be allowed to take law in their hands. Such situations will be dealt with firmly," the chief minister said, adding that the state government had exercised maximum restraint in controlling the situation.
Rejecting suggestions that the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance government could fall in the wake of the clashes, he said, "We have majority. In democracy, nobody can ever think of bringing down a government that has majority."
Slamming the Congress, Badal alleged: "Congress is behind this (clashes between rival religious groups in Punjab). The party is blaming the state government even though its legislators are with the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda."
Congress legislators 'instigated the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda, he said, adding, "Congress has always tried to disturb peace in the state whenever it is out of power."