Chandigarh: In wake of expected verdict in a case against Dera Sauda Sirsa chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim on August 25, the governments of Punjab and Haryana have beefed up the security in their respective states. A CBI court in Panchkula had recently reserved the order for August 25 in a rape and sexual abuse case against Gurmeet Ram Ram.
As reported by the media, the intelligence agencies and the governments of the Punjab and Haryana suspect widespread trouble by dera followers in wake of the verdict.
Thousands of Dera Followers reach Panchkula:
The Tribune has reported that around 40,000 dera followers have reached Panchkula in wake of August 25 court verdict by CBI court. However, the Punjabi Tribune, a sister vernacular of The Tribune, has reported the numbers of such dera followers as 15,000 to 20,000. These dera followers are reportedly camping at a Panchkula based dera branch.
The Panchkula police have barricaded the entire Sector 1 and have also closed the road dividing Sectors 1 and 2. Advocates, litigants and the public are facing inconvenience due to security arrangements.
The entry from Majri Chowk and Old Panchkula Chowk to Sector 1 has been closed by the police. People coming from Barwala and Ramgarh have to travel 3 km extra to reach Panchkula.
Panchkula Schools and Colleges Closed
As per media reports, the Schools and colleges will remain closed on August 24 and 25 in Panchkula. The Panchkula Public School Association, that has all 25 private schools as its members, has resolved to keep their schools closed from August 23 to August 25.
75 Companies of Para-military deployed across Punjab:
The Punjab government has reportedly deployed 75 companies of paramilitary forces across the state. Besides this, Punjab DGP Suresh Arora reportedly said, 11,000 Punjab Armed Police (PAP) personnels and district police to are also in field.
Para-military and police conducted flag marches:
As per reports, the Punjab police and para-military personnel took out flag marches in various parts of Punjab, where Malwa region is being described as sensitive in wake of presence of dera followers in this region.
Chandigarh- Sector 16 based Cricket Stadium converted into temporary jail:
A joint meeting of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh administration was held on Tuesday in Chandigarh and the cricket Stadium in Sector 16 was notified as a temporary jail for August 25.