Dera headquarters in Sirsa may be searched after verdict

CHANDIGARH/SIRSA: Haryana DGP BS Sandhu on Sunday said the police would try to conduct a check at the dera headquarters after the quantum of the sentence is pronounced in the rape case at a Rohtak jail on Monday.

“As far as Sirsa (dera) is concerned, followers are coming out of it. We have also been facilitating them to come out since Saturday,” he told reporters.

The army and Haryana police on Sunday also sealed a naam charcha ghar (congregation centre) here in Lakranwali village.

The situation turned tense in the afternoon after paramilitary forces and Haryana police started moving towards the Dera headquarters.

Superintendent of police (SP) Ashwin Shenvi said, “The local administration is closely monitoring the situation. Many followers have vacated the Dera premises. We are trying to find out how many are still inside.”

“The local administration announced relaxation in curfew from 6am to 11am so that the followers could easily vacate the premises. We are observing the developments,” Shenvi said. Broadband services have also been suspended in Sirsa.

In an effort to maintain law and order, army and central armed police forces also carried out a flag march on Sunday.

ADC Munish Nagpal told HT that the administration arranged Haryana Roadways buses and for the followers vacating the dera. “The administration also relaxed curfew from 6am to 11am, so the followers can easily vacate the dera,” the SP said.

ADC Munish Nagpal said: “Our priority is to maintain law and order. We have set up 27 check points at various villages.

FOOD FOR JOURNALISTS AND FORCES

Residents of nearby Begu village and social workers of Sirsa started food and water service for the forces and journalist on duty after curfew was imposed from August 24.

Ashok Kumar, a local resident said: “We requested the administration to allow us to serve water and food for the forces, and the administration issued us curfew passes.

Ram Rahim was held guilty on Friday of raping two sadhvis (female followers), following which his supporters ran riot leading to the death of 38 people — 32 in Panchkula and six in Sirsa — and injuries to around 250.