As the standoff between the two sides appeared heading for a confrontation, he parried questions at a press conference on the strategies the government would adopt on resolving it against the backdrop of the Akal Takht's demand for closure of all deras and the call for bandh on Tuesday.

"As head of the government, I should not be saying. They (the Dera) should see themselves what sin or mistake they have committed whether he (Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh) should give an apology... I can't say what effect it will have. All steps would be taken to restore peace and harmony," Badal said.

"My duty is to maintain law and order and ensure peace in the state," he said, adding that any "...law-breaker, howsoever high a post he may hold, would be dealt with strictly as per law."

The five Sikh high priests on Sunday gave a call for closure of all deras in Punjab by May 27 and a bandh Tuesday against the "blasphemy" caused by the Sirsa-based Dera chief allegedly posing as Guru Gobind Singh.

Badal said it was a "big provocation" on the part of head of the Dera who he felt should show large heartedness for resolution of the tangle.

He met Governor S F R Rodrigues on Tuesday and said it was his duty to inform him of the situation in the state.

Meanwhile, in the wake of Tuesday's Punjab bandh call, the Sirsa district administration has beefed up security in the town especially around the Dera Sacha Sauda premises here to avoid any untoward incident.

The security has been increased within the Dera and barriers have been erected around the 'Gufa' of the Dera chief.

The paramilitary forces have intensified flag marches and the entire district has been converted into a fortress. Barricades have been erected on all the roads connecting Punjab.

Sirsa Superintendent of Police Vikas Arora said that every effort would be made to maintain peace and tranquility in the district and none would be allowed to engage in violence.

Various Sikh organisations on Monday decided to observe a complete bandh in Sirsa town on Wednesday to express solidarity with the decisions taken against the Dera Sacha Sauda by the five Sikh high priests.

The local Sikhs at a meeting at Daswin Patshahi Gurdwara appealed to the people of the town to observe complete and peaceful bandh.

Through a similar appeal, the priests of the Gurdwara in the Odhan town of the district have also appealed for a complete bandh in Odhan on Tuesday.

"Such incidents do not deter investors," he said. Badal said that the five Sikh priests had also directed that peace has to be maintained during the bandh and other protests and examinations and emergency services are not be disrupted. He appealed to all Sikhs to follow the priests' directive.