The security arrangements across Haryana and Chandigarh were tightened on Thursday to deal with any situation resulting due to the build-up of tension over the release of controversial film 'MSG: The Messenger' on Friday.
Haryana Director General of Police, Yashpal Singal said that all Range Inspector Generals, Police Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and SHOs have been directed to make proper arrangements of security in all cinema halls in their respective districts.
Section 144 has been imposed in various districts and additional police personnel have been deployed in all cinema halls, he added. He also urged the people of the State to maintain law and order situation.
Before carrying out any procession or demonstration, permission of Superintendent of Police or Police Commissioner is necessary under Section 69 of Haryana Police Act 2007 otherwise action would be taken as per law. He said that after obtaining permission such kind of procession or demonstration could be carried out in peaceful manner at prescribed place only under the Act.
In Chandigarh, around 1,100 UT cops, including five DSPs, Inspectors, home guard volunteers and special force will be deployed to maintain peace in the city. Also, holidays of police officials have been cancelled and all off-duty policemen have been called back, said Sukhchain Singh Gill, SSP, Chandigarh police.
The SSP said that the movie will be released in four multiplexes of the city, including Fun Republic, City heart, Elante and Centra mall. Keeping in view the expected crowd of the Dera followers, we have put the UT police on high alert.
The UT police have also identified sensitive areas in the city and the policemen will be deployed to keep a check on activities of Dera followers and Sikh organisations.
The official said they would deploy the policemen outside the multiplexes, where the movie would release. One DSP level official will be deployed at each multiplex, to supervise the UT cops.
Apart from the deployment of cops at multiplexes, police have also made arrangements for parking the vehicles. “No vehicle will be allowed to enter the basement parkings of the multiplexes and all the vehicles should be parked in the parking areas of nearby markets. This decision has been taken as clash could erupt in the parking areas, between members of Sikh organisations and Dera followers,” said the SSP.