P’kula police want to withdraw paramilitary forces from court

CHANDIGARH : The Haryana government has approached the Punjab and Haryana high court, seeking permission to withdraw paramilitary forces deployed to guard judicial officers of Panchkula district courts.

The government has argued that since normalcy has been restored and there had been no incident of law and order problem in the state, it be allowed to withdraw central paramilitary forces guarding judicial officers.

The deployment of paramilitary forces was ordered by the high court on August 25, the day when Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court was to pronounce judgment in two rape cases against Dera Sacah Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

The high court had ordered the deployment apprehending law and order problem since over 1.5 lakh followers of Ram Rahim were camping in Panchkula that day.

The dera was convicted by the court following which his followers indulged into violence and arson, forcing the security forces to open fire at them. Over 30 persons were killed and hundreds injured in the incident.

The government told the court that CBI special judge, Jagdeep Singh, who had passed the conviction order has been given given ‘Z’ security cover. Other judicial officers also have adequate security. So, it be allowed to withdraw the central forces, the government told the court.

The high court is yet to take up the matter.

CENTRAL FORCES WERE DEPLOYED TO GUARD JUDICIAL OFFICERS OF PANCHKULA DISTRICT COURTS AFTER THE AUGUST 25 VIOLENCE