Trouble spreads to western UP

LUCKNOW: The arson and violence, which gripped parts of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi after Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted in a rape case, spread to some western Uttar Pradesh districts on Friday evening.

In Ghaziabad, supporters of Gurmeet set a roadways bus afire. They also blocked traffic movement in Saharanpur, Meerut, Baghpat and Hapur districts. The state police, meanwhile, sounded an alert in the districts bordering Haryana and ordered a crackdown on the dera chief’s supporters. As a precautionary measure, the railways cancelled the trains to Haryana and Punjab.

Railway officials said the decision to cancel the trains was taken after supporters of Gurmeet targeted trains at various spots in western UP. The state government imposed prohibitory orders in Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Baghpat.

Talking to HT, ADG (law and order) Anand Kumar said after the widespread arson and violence, UP police sealed the border with Haryana.

“Barricades have been erected and all vehicles entering UP are being checked. Police have been directed to detain Gurmeet’s supporters as well as those whose activities are suspicious,” Kumar said.

Kumar said, “Police have prepared a list of Gurmeet supporters in various districts. Their activities are being monitored.”

A police officer said special alert was being maintained in Saharanpur, Shamli, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Aligarh and Mathura districts that share their border with Haryana. Vigil has been also increased on Delhi-UP border.

Meanwhile, a flag march was taken out in Saharanpur even as a large number of security personnel were deployed at Dera Sacha Sauda ashram in Barnawa of Baghpat district.

Additional director general of police (ADG) Meerut Zone Prashant Kumar said section 144 of CRPC has been imposed in Shamli, Baghpat and Saharanpur districts that border Haryana.