Chandigarh: Haryana and Punjab were on Wednesday 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 with authorities 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.
“We are in regular touch with the governments of Punjab and Haryana. Whatever help is required, will be provided,” a home ministry spokesperson said in Delhi.
Security forces were carrying out flag marches at many sensitive places in both the states. Paramilitary forces have already reached Punjab and Haryana and many more are on way to sensitive places there.
Terming the situation dynamic, Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas said 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.
Responding to reporters’ questions, he said, “The state government would 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.”
The state administration is continuously in touch with Dera followers for maintaining peace, Niwas said.
Dera followers have been assembling in large numbers at the sect’s Sector 23 based “Naam Charcha Ghar” (congregation/prayer centre) in Panchkula to show their solidarity with the sect chief.
With the arrival of Dera followers, including women, in Chandigarh’s neighbouring city Panchkula, the Union Territory has been declared “sensitive”.
The Haryana government said except for offices of essential services, August 24 and 25 would be observed as gazetted holidays in government offices, boards, corporations, and banks in Sectors 4, 5 and 6 of Panchkula only.
Teaching work in all the universities and colleges in the state will remain suspended on August 25, a spokesperson of Haryana’s Higher Education department said.
According to officials, interviews to be conducted by the state’s service selection board on August 24 and 25 have been rescheduled.
In Punjab, all schools and colleges have been ordered to remain shut on Friday.
State-owned Punjab Roadways will not run its buses towards Sirsa, where the headquarter of Dera is located, from Thursday, while PRTC will stop plying of buses towards Haryana on Friday.
Meanwhile, Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim took to Twitter to give a message of “selfless service and meditation” to his followers.
When asked if the Dera chief will appear before the court in Panchkula on Friday, a spokesperson of the sect said its head has always followed the law and will do so in future also.
