As a precautionary measure, the Punjab Government on Sunday ordered closure of all educational institutions, including Government and private schools and colleges besides technical institutions, in the 13 “sensitive” Malwa belt districts on August 28, when the sentence in the Gurmeet Ram Rahim rape case is slated to be announced.
The decision was taken by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in view of the sensitivity of the matter and the heightened tension in the wake of the conviction of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief.
The Deputy Commissioners of all 13 sensitive districts of the Malwa region — Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Barnala, Mansa, Sangrur, Patiala, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Moga, ludhiana, Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib — have been asked to declare a holiday in the educational institutions in their respective districts to avoid any sort of inconvenience to the students due to erratic bus service and other modes of transport, said a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office.
However, Jalandhar Administration, claiming that situation completely normal and under control in the district, has announced that there would be no holiday in the educational institutions of the districton Monday, and all the offices or educational institutes would function normally.