Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said he was deeply distressed over the outbreak of violence in Punjab in the wake of the killing of a Dera leader in Vienna and appealed for calm and restraint.

"I am deeply distressed by the outbreak of violence in Punjab following certain incidents in Vienna, Austria. Whatever the provocation, it is important to maintain peace and harmony among different sections of the people," he said in an appeal to the people.
      
Singh said that Sikhism preaches tolerance and harmony, All the revered Gurus of Sikhism preach the values of equality, brotherhood and harmony.
     
Invoking the teachings of the Gurus, the Prime Minister appealed to all sections of the people in Punjab to abjure violence and maintain peace.
     
"In areas where curfew has been imposed, it was necessary that people should go back to their homes and allow the security forces to restore law and order," he said.
    
"I sincerely appeal to the people of Punjab to heed this message and help the authorities restore peace and order," Singh said.