Centre seeks report from Punjab on 'foreign hand' involvement

The Centre has sought a report from the Punjab government on information about alleged foreign hand in the recent incidents of sacrilege that have sparked protests in the state.

The central government is seized of the matter and has sought a report from Punjab government, a senior Home ministry official said.

All necessary action will be taken against criminal elements -- be it within the country or outside -- for creating disturbance, the official said.

The Punjab police on Tuesday said it has arrested two brothers for alleged involvement in the alleged desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib and claimed that they were getting instructions and funding from handlers in Australia and Dubai.

Jaswinder Singh and Rupinder Singh were arrested for the main case of sacrilege of the Sikh holy book at Bargari village in Faridkot district. The police said that phone calls of the brothers had been traced to people in Australia and Dubai and a special investigation team will probe this aspect.

Punjab is witnessing protests over the incidents of sacrilege in different parts of the state.

Aam Aadmi Party Member of parliament from Punjab Bhagwant Mann met Home Minister Rajnath Singh today and urged him to ensure peace in the state.

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.

The 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.

Chairman of International Sikh Council Muktiyar Singh also met the Home mnister.

Concerned over desecration of Sikh holy books in Punjab, the Home mnister spoke to Badal 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.

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