2 states on edge as 1 lakh dera supporters camp in Panchkula
MAXIMUM ALERT Schools, colleges to remain shut in Punjab, Haryana tomorrow, PRTC not to ply buses to neighbouring state, Chandigarhbound Haryana buses to terminate at Ambala
CHANDIGARH/PANCHKULA: Punjab and Haryana maintained maximum alert as over one lakh followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh reached Panchkula on Wednesday ahead of the August 25 court verdict in a rape case against him.
Though this was the “official” figure, intelligence agencies, which are constantly monitoring the situation on ground zero, put their number close to 1.5 lakh. The number of premis, as the dera followers call themselves, is expected to swell further by the morning with more and more of them trooping in from adjoining states of Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Dera spokesperson Aditya Insaan claimed that six lakh followers had already reached Panchkula. The dera management, which has asked them to reach the city, expects 15 lakh of them on the ground by Friday.
The followers said they were in Panchkula to express solidarity with “pitaji” (dera chief) and warned that the authorities would be responsible for any adverse order against him.
An alarmed Haryana government, which dubbed the dera claim as “highly exaggerated”, has ordered closure of schools, colleges and offices in Panchkula, cancelled leave of all government officials, medical paramedical staff and deferred job interviews for next two days. Chandigarh-bound travellers from Delhi and parts of Haryana are set to face a tough time as state-run roadways has decided to terminate all its buses at Ambala. The decision has been taken to stop the dera followers from reaching the two cities.
However, all buses originating from Chandigarh will ply on their routes as usual. “The government will take every step, including imposition of curfew, required to maintain the law and order. We will also call in the army, if necessary,” additional chief secretary, home, Ram Niwas, said.
Similarly, the Punjab government is also not taking any chances. It decided to shut all schools and colleges across the state on August 25, besides ordering withdrawal of 1,000 police personnel from VVIP security for deployment on field duty to strengthen the security blanket in the state. The PRTC will not ply Haryana-bound buses on August 25 as a precautionary measure. The state received an additional 10 companies of the BSF, taking the total number of central paramilitary companies to 85.
The case was registered by the CBI in 2002 on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana HC after anonymous letters were circulated about the alleged rape of two ‘sadhvis’ (female followers) by Ram Rahim Singh.
BATHINDA: Panchayat representatives from the Malwa region on Wednesday flocked the Dera Sacha Sauda Punjab headquarters at Salabatpura to express solidarity with dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Representatives of over 60 panchayats from Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Faridkot and Ludhiana visited the Salabatpura dera amid deployment of security.
Thousands of dera followers from the region have already reached the Sector-23 “Naam Charcha Ghar” (congregation centre) in Panchkula to show their solidarity with the sect chief, who has been asked to appear in person in the special CBI court on Friday in a sexual exploitation case.
In-charge of the Salabatpura dera Jora Singh said the panchayat representatives expressed solidarity with the dera and promised to maintain peace in their respective areas.
In Barnala, deputy commissioner Ghanshyam Thori ordered closure of gun shops from August 25 to 27.
Punjab Police and paramilitary personnel held a flag march in Bathinda on Wednesday. Bathinda senior superintendent of police Navin Singla and deputy commissioner Diprava Lakra inspected the security arrangements. A flag march was also taken out in Salabatpura.
WIRELESS BAN; NO PRTC BUSES FROM BATHINDA
Bathinda administration has imposed ban on use of wireless systems from August 23 to 31. Additional district magistrate Shena Aggarwal said the orders have been passed to maintain law and order. The orders are not applicable on security forces and other government officials.” Buses of PRTC from Bathinda will not ply on August 25.