New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday night strongly condemned the "deeply distressing" violence that swept Haryana and some other states after conviction of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case and appealed for peace. Modi reviewed the situation with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and said officials have been asked to work round-the-clock to restore normalcy.
"The instances of violence today are deeply distressing. I strongly condemn the violence & urge everyone to maintain peace," he tweeted. "The law & order situation is being closely monitored. I reviewed the situation with the NSA & Home Secretary," the prime minister said.
"Urged officials to work round-the-clock to restore normalcy and provide all possible assistance that is required," he added.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who was personally monitoring the situation, appealed to the people to remain calm and not to take the law in their hands. The chief minister spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley.