From correspondents in Delhi, India, 10:03 PM IST

Expressing concern over sectarian strife in Punjab's Ludhiana town, the Congress Monday urged the central government to keep a close watch on the situation in the state.

Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said the party was saddened by the incidents in Ludhiana.

'Punjab is a border state where normalcy was disturbed by terrorism for 15 years. Communal violence impacts the stability of the state,' he said.

Tewari, MP from Ludhiana, said the situation needed close monitoring because of the serious situation in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

One person was killed and several others were injured in sectarian violence in Ludhiana Friday and Saturday.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)