Concerned at the stand-off in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan between Sikh groups and followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda, the Centre has issued advisories to the three states to keep security forces on alert.

The advisories were issued by the Union home ministry in the wake of clashes between Dera followers and Sikhs in the past few days, official sources said on Thursday.

The home ministry, which is closely monitoring the situation in these states, will give all possible assistance to them to tackle the situation, the sources said.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil had on Wednesday said in the Rajya Sabha that the Centre would assist Punjab in dealing with the situation arising from the alleged hurting of Sikh sentiments by Dera chief Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Parts of Punjab and Haryana continued to be tense for the fourth day on Thursday due to the stand-off between Sikhs and Dera followers even as Sikh high priests called for a social boycott of the controversial religious group.

The high priests also gave a 10-day ultimatum to the Punjab government to act against the Dera for its anti-Sikh activities. After this period, Sikhs would be forced to act against the Dera, they warned.

The Dera head sparked a controversy by purportedly appearing in the attire of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in an advertisement in some newspapers. Dera followers and Sikhs have clashed in Punjab, Rajasthan and New Delhi over the past three days.

Punjab seeks central forces

The Punjab government have sought 5,000 personnel of central forces to be deployed in sensitive areas in the state in the wake of clashes, an official spokesman said in Chandigarh on Thursday night.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal spoke to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and apprised him of the situation where he conveyed the demand for central forces, he said.

Earlier, the chief minister held a meeting with top civil and police officials of the state to review law and order situation.

The meeting was attended among others, by Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Chief Secretary R I Singh, Home Secretary B C Gupta and DGP N P S Aulakh.

Security tightened in capital

Security has been stepped up in some parts of the capital with deployment of Rapid Action Force and additional police personnel to prevent any violence in the wake of the controversy.

The deployment of security personnel has been effected in several areas of west and south Delhi where there is a sizeable Sikh population.

The sensitive areas include Tilak Nagar, Janak Puri, Keshopur and Harinagar in west Delhi and Bhogal and Jungpura in south Delhi, police sources said.

The security has been beefed up and increased after three persons, including a former municipal councillor, were injured in clashes between Akalis and the followers of the Dera sect, which spread to the capital on Wednesday.

Tension had broken out in Keshopur, a Sikh-dominated area, in West Delhi after a group of Dera followers allegedly attacked Akalis who were protesting against depiction of Dera head Baba Gurmeet Singh Ram Raheem as tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

Former corporator Omkar Singh Thapar and a couple of his supporters were injured and equipments of some television channels were also damaged in the incident.