Following large-scale violence in Panchkula, where the special CBI court had convicted Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case, Haryana has been put on high alert ahead of the sentencing of dera chief on Monday in the premises of Rohtak jail.
All educational institutions, including Government and private schools, colleges and other institutions, in Haryana will remain closed on Monday. Also, mobile internet services, which were suspended for 72 hours in Haryana, ahead of Friday’s court verdict, would continue to remain suspended in the State till 11.30 am on Tuesday.
Besides internet lease lines on the premises of the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters at Sirsa have also been suspended till Tuesday.
Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Ram Niwas, while talking to the mediaperson on Sunday said that fool-proof arrangements are in place to avert a replay of Friday-type violence on August 28 when the court pronounces quantum of punishment for rape convict self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
On August 25, CBI special court judge Jagdeep Singh held the Dera chief, who has lakhs of followers mainly in Punjab and Haryana, guilty of raping and sexually exploiting two female disciples in 2002. The sect chief was later flown to Sunaria Jail, Rohtak.
A court is set up in the prison premises itself where the special CBI judge will pronounce the verdict around 2.30 pm on Monday. The ACS, Home said the order has been issued to suspend mobile internet services for another 48 hours to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the State on August 28.
“The orders have been taken considering the critical law and order situation and to maintain peace and communal harmony in the State, and to prevent any loss of life or further damage to public and private property. It has been reported by IG/CID that the situation is tense and violence may again continue for several days, especially on August 28, when the quantum of punishment will be announced,” the order stated.
“Besides, it has been reported by Deputy Commissioner, Sirsa and Superintendent of Police, Sirsa that the devotees may resort to breach of peace and tranquillity, and arson leading to damage to public and private properties in Sirsa, being the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda. Since the environment is tense, rumours of different kinds may be spread through broadband and internet lease lines in the premises of DSS,” said the orders.
Ram Niwas said that directions have been issued to Haryana telecom service providers and those providing internet lease lines in the premises of DSS, Sirsa, to ensure compliance of these orders.
Violence had broken out in Panchkula and other places on Friday after the CBI court had held Ram Rahim guilty of rape and sexual exploitation. 38 people had died in violence in Haryana after the dera chief’s conviction.
Ram Niwas said that we are hopeful that the court proceedings will be conducted without any problem and peace maintained. But if there is any disturbance, the security forces are ready to deal with it, said he.
Meanwhile, the curfew was withdrawn in Panchkula adjoining Chandigarh which saw the maximum violence on Friday. Curfew was also withdrawn in Kaithal town in Haryana.
Prohibitory orders in Fatehabad District Administration, Fatehabad has imposed prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons and carrying of firearms and other weapons, till September 18.
The Administration has also warned the people not to gather in Dera Sacha Sauda and ‘naam charcha ghar’ establishments in the district in violation of Section 144, as doing so would result in their arrest and sealing of Dera Sacha Sauda or ‘naam charcha ghar’ concerned.
District Magistrate, Fatehabad, Hardeep Singh, said that peace is prevailing in the district and the situation was normal. While supply of fuel has been commenced at petrol pumps to facilitate the people, fuel would not be supplied at night.
Security arrangements have been stepped up in the district and Police and paramilitary personnel and Duty Magistrates have been deployed at different nakas established in the city to maintain law and order, he added.
The DC said the two persons of the district who had been killed in Sirsa on August 25 have been cremated in a peaceful manner.
36 duty magistrates deployed in Kaithal District Administration, Kaithal, has put in place stringent security measures to maintain the law and order situation including deployment of 36 Duty Magistrates along with videographers and Police officers.
Activities of anti-social elements are being monitored closely and the District Administration would ensure that the people do not have to face any inconvenience, said an official spokesman.
Paramilitary deployed in Ambala District Magistrate, Sharandeep Kaur Brar said that prohibitory orders is in force in the district since August 21 and would remain in force till further orders. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in rural and urban areas, and Police personnel along with officers of the District Administration, were visiting all areas, she said. Besides, Police forces have been deployed at all naam charcha ghars of Dera Sacha Sauda in the district and no person would be allowed to take the law into their own hands, she added.
Naam charcha ghars sealed in Bhiwani District Administration, Bhiwani, has sealed naam charcha ghars of Dera Sacha Sauda situated at village Baliyali, Bhiwani-Tosham road and Bawani Khera under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). District Magistrate, Anshaj Singh, said that the decision had been taken to ensure that no such activities were carried out in these naam charcha ghars which could disrupt law and order situation.