It is a case of once burnt twice shy. Maintaining law and order will be the top priority for the Haryana police on Monday, when the quantum of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s sentence will be pronounced in Rohtak.
Under fire over the loss of lives in the violence two days back, Haryana DGP BS Sandhu claimed the arrangements made for Monday were “foolproof”.
To ensure there was no repeat of violence that erupted in Panchkula last week when thousands of Dera followers swarmed near the CBI court that convicted Singh in a rape case, all routes to the Sunaria jail in Rohtak, where the self-styled godman has been lodged, have been sealed.
“The top priority now is to ensure that law and order is maintained when the sentencing of convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief takes place in Rohtak,” he said.
The sentencing is expected to take place in the afternoon.
All the deceased, who belong to Sirsa, have been identified, Sandhu said. Of those who died in Panchkula, 24 have been identified and the post-mortem conducted, he said. Out of 20 bodies from Panchkula that were handed over to the kin, nine were from Punjab, ten from Haryana and one from Rajasthan, he said.
"Besides Haryana police and paramilitary forces, the Army will remain on standby in Rohtak tomorrow. We have made foolproof security arrangements," he said.
The Rohtak administration has designated a place from where mediapersons can provide coverage when the sentence will be pronounced, he said.
Haryanas ADGP (law and order) and IG, CID, took stock of situation in Rohtak on Sunday. Sandhu sought to assure media persons that police will give them full protection to enable them to discharge their duties in a free and fair manner, but urged them to take precaution when they go in sensitive areas.
On security arrangements in Rohtak, ADGP Mohd Akil said "we are expecting that the court will take up the matter at around 2:30 p.m. However, the timing can vary."
"We are prepared and are hoping that tomorrows events related to sentencing and afterwards will pass off smoothly. However, if even after these foolproof arrangements, anti- social elements or any criminal tries to create trouble, then we have given orders that strict action be taken as per the demands of the situation," he said.
Akil said that in Rohtak, 23 Companies of paramilitary forces were deployed, besides police forces from the district and Rohtak Range which includes force from neighbouring districts.