Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today 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.