Chandigarh: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday directed the state police to withdraw all cases registered against people protesting the alleged sacrilege of the Sikh holy book Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji during the last one week.

"The sentiments expressed by the protesters were the result of extreme provocation and the state was with them in this hour of grief," he said. "My sentiments have also been deeply outraged by the desecration and I can understand the actions of the people", he said.