‘Hopeful that dera chief will appear before court’

CHANDIGARH: With a CBI court in Panchkula set to announce the verdict in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on August 25, there are apprehensions of strong reaction among followers in case of his conviction. Haryana director general of police BS Sandhu spoke to HT on how the government and police plan to tackle a flare-up.

Do you expect the dera chief to appear in court on August 25?

We are hopeful that he will appear in person and abide by the law. However, he could alternatively be made part of the court proceedings through video conference.

How are you planning to deal with the situation on the day?

The government and police have their arrangements in place. We have deployed 35 companies of central forces in sensitive districts.... We have again made a request to the Union ministry of home affairs for additional manpower. State government has deputed senior IAS officer V Umashankar, who as deputy commissioner of Sirsa, had handled the 2007 crisis involving the dera chief, to oversee the situation.

Will you seal the state borders?

We have set up nakas. Vehicles carrying a large number of passengers, of course, will be checked. We will urge dera followers to go back.

Are you planning to clamp down on internet services?

We are monitoring social media. If we find mischief being played, we will shut down internet in some areas.