The Centre has issued advisories to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to keep security forces on alert and avert any further violence between Sikh groups and followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda.
The advisories were issued by the Union home ministry in the wake of clashes between the followers of Dera chief Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and the Sikhs in the past few days, according to sources. 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.
Parts of Punjab and Haryana had reportedly been 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 Dera head triggered a controversy by purportedly appearing in the attire of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in an advertisement.