Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, reviewing the State’s security arrangements with the police top brass on Wednesday, ordered withdrawal of 1,000 police personnel from VVIP security for deployment on field duty to strengthen the security blanket in the State.
Capt Amarinder, after his meeting with DGP Suresh Arora, DGP Intelligence Dinkar Gupta and DGP law and Order HS Dhillon, ordered to impose Section 144, closing all schools and colleges on August 25 in view of the upcoming court verdict in the Ram Rahim rape case.
A complete ban has also been issued on carrying of firearms, with orders to shut down the private gun houses selling arms and ammunition to licence holders, till the situation normalises.
It has been informed in the meeting that the Centre has sanctioned additional 10 companies of paramilitary forces to maintain law and order in the State.
A total of 85 Central companies along with thousands of policemen on the ground will maintain a tight vigil, especially in the vulnerable areas of Moga, Bathinda, Sangrur, Barnala, Patiala and ludhiana.
Capt Amarinder has asked the police officials to fan out across the sensitive districts to ensure that there is no disruption of the law and order in the State. Security has been tightened along the State’s borders with Haryana, as well as the connecting roads to prevent any incursions.
The Chief Minister has also ordered senior officers to personally monitor the situation on the ground, with the DGP visiting various sensitive districts to review the preparations. He also ordered the DGP Intelligence to ensure strict monitoring of social media and effectively thwart any attempts by rumour mongers to spread unrest.
Amid intelligence reports of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda, of which Ram Rahim is the chief, stocking petrol and arms at the Dera’s Naam Charcha Ghars, the Chief Minister has directed the police to crack down on elements trying to disrupt Punjab’s peace and tranquillity.
The police have seized five walkie-talkies from suspected Dera followers and are moving to identify various locations suspected to be housing dangerous weapons of any kind. A close watch is being maintained at all such places and the police are ready to move in at the slightest sign of trouble, said the spokesperson.
SOCIAl MEDIA UNDER POlICE SCANNER
Punjab Police’s IT (information technology) and the Cyber Crime wings will keep a close watch on the provocative material used on the social media.
The police is also mulling to suspend the internet facilities in sensitive areas of the State on the day of judgement, August 25.
“A close check would kept on the social media as troublemakers may spread false information causing panic among the people,” said DGP Suresh Arora adding that it was necessary to see that no one share any provocative or offensive material against the sect head or any religion.
He also urged the people to refrain from sharing any such provocative materials.
DERA RUBBISHES POlICE ClAIMS OF STORING PETROl AND WEAPONS, INVITES POlICE FOR SEARCH
Rubbishing the Punjab Police’s allegations against the Dera followers of storing fuel or weapons at their Naam Charcha Ghars (congregation or prayer centres), the Punjab unit of the Dera Sacha Sauda on Wednesday asked the police to conduct search in the premises.
The sect management has asked the police not to spread any misinformation ahead the “crucial day” and act on baseless information. “The police can come to conduct search at out all centres to prove their allegations,” said a Dera functionary asking the police to first verify such allegations.
It has been learnt that the Punjab unit of the Dera sect has been approaching the followers in all centres appealing to them to respect the court’s verdict and not to indulge in any sort of violence.
The management is also appealing to the followers to remain alert against any “fake” information being spread on the social media.
The state IGP (law and Order) had issued a letter on August 22 to all SSPs, Commissioners of Police and IGPs, pointing that the “Dera Sacha Sauda Premis have started storing diesel, petrol in drums at Naam Charcha Ghars in Faridkot district. They have stored sharp-edged weapons and stones on the roofs of Naam Charcha Ghars. On August 25, if the court would give a verdict against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, then devotees can use petrol and weapons to harm Government or public properties. Therefore, you are directed to make required security arrangements”.