Haryana and Punjab have been put on high alert and prohibitory orders imposed ahead of the court verdict in a sexual exploitation case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Authorities are not ruling out taking Army’s help to maintain law and order.
The Centre has also assured all possible help to the Punjab and Haryana governments to deal with any situation. According to a Home Ministry spokesperson in Delhi, Centre is in regular touch with the governments of Punjab and Haryana.
Section 144 of (CrPC) has been imposed in all districts of Haryana. Terming the situation dynamic, Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas said that the State has got eight additional companies of paramilitary forces and an additional 2,500 police personnel from internal sources have also been mobilised for deployment in different parts of the state.
He said, the state government will also call in the Army, if necessary, impose curfew according to time and circumstances and initiate all steps required to maintain law and order in the State. He has appealed to Dera followers to cooperate with government to keep peace and harmony in the state.
Paramilitary forces including Rapid Action Force, CRPF etc are staging flag march in various sensitive places of districts of Haryana and Punjab along with local police.
All schools, colleges and Universities in Chandigarh and Panchkula districts of Haryana will remain closed today and tomorrow as precautionary measures.
The work has been suspended in Panchkula court till tomorrow, when the verdict on Sirsa Dera Chief Baba Ram Rahim Singh in Sadhvi sexual exploitation case is to be pronounced. Advoates will be allowed to enter the court through a special route.
Haryana government has cancelled all leave so that the district administrations function in full strength. State Health Department has also cancelled leave of all its medical and para-medical staff till 30th August.