Dera incident: Deshmukh, Patil appeal for calm

Maharashtra Government appealed to the Sikhs in the state, who are protesting against the killing of a community member by Dera Sacha Sauda chief's bodyguard, to refrain from violence and convened a high level meeting to solve the issue.

Maharashtra Government appealed to the Sikhs in the state, who are protesting against the killing of a community member by Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s bodyguard, to refrain from violence and convened a high level meeting to solve the issue.

Following the appeal, Sikhs have decided not to indulge in violent protests, Congress MLC Charan Singh Sapra said.

“We have not called off the agitation. It will continue peacefully on Gandhian principles. We will wait for the state Government’s decision as we want stringent action against the culprits,” Sapra said.

Story continues below this ad

“Sikhs are stunned to learn that despite such a serious incident, Dera members managed to evade police and have fled,” he said.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and deputy Chief Minster RR Patil appealed to Sikhs to maintain calm and announced a compensation of Rs two lakh for the family of the person killed in yesterday’s firing.

Security has been beefed up in Sikh-dominated localities in Mumbai, Thane and Nanded, a senior official said.

A group of Sikhs had raised anti-Dera slogans inside the Nirmal Lifestyles mall in suburban Mulund during a visit by the Dera chief Ram Rahim Singh to the place last evening, which led to an altercation between Singh’s supporters and the Sikh group, which left one person dead and two injured.

Disquiet in film board: ‘Censorship raj’, no meeting in 6 years, no reports, term lapsed

2 hr ago

A controversial decision-making process has set off divisions within the CBFC, and cast a long regulatory shadow on the Indian film industry as it aspires to be a global player . The Indian Express spoke to several top filmmakers and board members to find that a not-so-silent storm is brewing within the fraternity — and inside the CBFC, too — over what many call a “one-man show”.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS