Situation in Punjab 'not quite normal': Chidambaram

New Delhi, May 25 (PTI) Terming the situation in India's
northern state Punjab as "not quite normal", Union Home
Minister P Chidambaram Monday said the Centre has asked the
state government to enforce curfew strictly in all areas where
violence broke out after the killing of a sect leader in
Austria.

The Centre has also responded to the state's request for
additional companies of para-military companies by sending
2,500 personnel and a helicopter, he told reporters after
assuming office here.

"We have already provided 14 companies (1,400 personnel)
of paramilitary forces. They are already in place since
morning. Eleven more (companies) are moving. We have also
provided a helicopter to the state government," he said.

Expressing concern over the violence which spread from
Jalandhar to the neighbouring districts of Phagwara,
Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahar, the Home Minister said the
situation in the state is "not quite normal".

"We are informed that curfew was imposed in Jalandhar and
some other places. But our information is that though the
curfew was imposed, it was not enforced strictly. There are TV
visuals of people moving in Jalandhar and some other places,"
he said.

The Home Minister said the Centre has asked the Punjab
government to enforce curfew wherever imposed. "The decision
to impose curfew was of the state government and once it has
been imposed, it must be enforced," he said.

Appealing to people of Punjab to maintain peace and
return home, Chidambaram said the government has some
information about the incident in Vienna and was still waiting
for the details.

"We have some information. There is a time gap also.
Preliminary information is that some people outside Austria
came to the Gurdwara and unleashed violence. But I am awaiting
full information," he said.

The Home Minister termed the incident in Vienna as
"serendipitous" event over which nobody had any control and
nobody had any indication.

"It is a completely serendipitous event. Now, that event
has provoked a section of the Sikh population to indulge in
violence," he said.

Chidambaram said the Punjab government is dealing with
the matter and it should be given time to put the violence
to an end.

"We should be more patient, give time to the Punjab
government to deal with the matter. We should not become
judgmental on the first day. I don't wish to be judgmental. We
are willing to help the Punjab government," he said.

The Home Minister said the MPs of the Punjab are also
helping the authorities in restoring normalcy in the state.
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