Red alert in Gzb, Gurgaon remains peaceful

GHAZIABAD/NOIDA/GURGAON: High alert has been sounded in western Uttar Pradesh districts and security stepped up on Friday when at least 25 people were killed in violence that erupted in various Punjab and Haryana towns after a special CBI court convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief G ur meet Ram Ra him Singh in a rape case.

A UP Road ways bus was al leg- edly torched by two suspected Dera supporters in Ghaziabad’s Loni.

However, the police said it was not related to the violence in the wake of Dera verdict. Senior officials said two more buses were also set a fire near Lon iGolc ha kk ar( round about) area which falls in Delhi.

“We have sounded a red alert in western UP districts and keeping a tight vigil on Der a followers returning to UP. Two companies of PAC have been deployed along with the police. Patrolling in areas bordering Delhi and Haryana has been increased,” said Prashant Kumar, additional director general (Meerut zone).

Ghaziabad district magistrate Ministhy S said prohibitory orders are in place and has been extended for two more weeks. All schools will remain closed today.

Love Kumar, SSP Gautam Budh Nagar, said ,“All police officials, circle officers, police response vehicles are on alert.”

Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate BN Singh said prohibitory orders placed in view of the Independence Day are in force.

GURGAON PEACEFUL

Despite tension, no untoward incident was reported from Gurgaon. A large posse of police, and 38 duty magistrates kept the situation under control. The Kherki D au la toll plaza was made free for an hour to ensure that there was no traffic jam or build up of vehicles as news of violence in Pan chk ula and Delhi reached G ur ga on.

As many as 450 police men conducted a flag march.

An eerie silence prevailed at the Der a Sacha Saud a Ash ram in Gurgaon’s South City-2.

The apprehension of violence affected normal life. Attendance in government offices and schools remained thin and corp orates asked staff to leave early.

Internet services were affected in Sohna, Farrukhnagar and Pataudi. Many cab users in Gurgaon faced difficulties in booking app-based cabs.