Kejriwal in Punjab; meets kin of anti-desecration protest victims

Amritsar, October 24 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on saturday met the families of the two people killed in protests against the Sikh holy book’s desecration.
On his arrival in Punjab, Kejriwal first visited the Harmandar Sahib, the holiest Sikh shrine, in Amritsar, and then went to meet the families of the anti-desecration protest victims in Kotkapura in Faridkot district. “I am deeply hurt by the instances of disrespect to the Guru Granth Sahib. The specific purpose of my visit to the Golden Temple was to pray for the tranquility, as it is the holiest shrine where every wish is fulfilled. I also appeal to the citizens of Punjab to stay calm and maintain peace,” he said.
The AAP leader condemned the police action, saying it was wrong to use force against people who were protesting peacefully against acts of sacrilege.
Kejriwal said it was the responsibility of the Punjab government to arrest the real culprits behind the incidents of desecration of holy books, saying no innocent person should be slapped with “false cases”.He refused to answer more queries, saying he was here to pray for peace in Punjab.
He was accompanied by senior AAP leaders, including Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur and state affairs in-charge Sanjay Singh.
Earlier before entering the Golden Temple, he was honoured with Siropa (robe of honour) and presented a set of Sikh religious books at the information centre.Meanwhile, Sikh activists today blocked Moga-Ferozepur national highway at Dagru, Moga-Kotkapura national highway at Rode village and Moga-Ludhiana national highway on the main square in Moga city, which forced Kejriwal to change his route and skip his visit to Moga.In Jalandhar, Congress MLA from Sultanpur Lodhi held a protest at Sultanpur against the registration of case against Sikh protesters by the Kapurthala Police.Kejriwal’s visit assumes significance as AAP is eyeing the 2017 Assembly polls in the state. The state gave four MPs to the party in the General Election, of whome two were recently suspended for “anti-party” activities.Tension mounted in Kotkapura on October 12 after over 100 pages of the Sikh holy book were found scattered on a street in Bargari village. Two people died in police firing two days later.