Punjab Government has initiated the process of inviting claims from the people for the damages of their properties during the violence post Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s verdict on Friday.
At the same time, the process of assessing assets of the controversial sect has also been started by the State revenue officials.
The move came a day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court had asked the Deputy Commissioners to invite claims for damage to property from the people, and submit the same by Tuesday.
On the day of the violence, the High Court had made it clear that the damages caused to the public and private properties during the arson and violence following Dera chief verdict, will be recovered from the violators and instigators.
The High Court had also asked the Dera to submit a list of its assets and properties which can be attached “in case it is found that they and their followers are responsible for the acts” of arson and violence. The Court had also refrained the Dera from transferring, selling or leasing out its properties.
The Sirsa-based Dera has at least 15 ashrams in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan with three in Punjab — Fatehabad, Mansa and Muktsar. Dera has nine ashrams in Sirsa, besides three in Rajashtan’s Hanumangarh.
Other than that, Dera also has Naam Charcha Ghars (congregation homes) in different parts of the State, with the biggest congregation centre at Salabtpura in Bathinda.
Interestingly, hours after the court’s decision that the Dera can be asked to pay for all losses, the sect removed the list of Ashrams from its website.
The revenue authorities have started identifying Dera’s movable and immovable assets, and compiling details of its properties and assets. Besides, the Banks have been asked to provide details of Dera’s accounts.
“A list of the Dera's assets, incomes, bank accounts and properties is being prepared on a war footing,” one of the officials connected with the exercise said.
Another official informed The Pioneer that no further “alienation, in the form of sale or otherwise of property”, would be allowed on property of Dera Sacha Sauda as a stay order has been put on it as per the High Court’s directions.
“A red entry has been made on the fards (records) of these properties of Dera in all districts, and the entries would be incorporated in the revenue records of properties so that they could not be sold, transferred, alienated or encumbered in any manner,” said the official.
Besides, the efforts were on to trace all the vehicles registered on the Dera’ name besides identifying all the bank accounts on name of Dera along with all the commercial establishments on the name of Dera Sacha Sauda.
Notably, Dera followers run amok after its sect head was convicted by the CBI Special Court in Panchkula on Friday for rape resulting.
Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner VK Sharma said that the administration is identifying moveable and immoveable assets of Dera Sacha Sauda in Jalandhar. “As per the directions of the High Court, the district administration has also initiated proceedings to stay sale of properties of Dera Sacha Sauda in the district,” he said.
ClAIMS INVITED
Acting on the High Court’s directions, the District Administrations of Mohali, Jalandhar, ludhiana, Rupnagar, Faridkot, Moga, Ferozepur, among others, have invited applications from the public for compensation against damage to property during Dera violence.
The affected persons or institutions, whose properties were damaged during the arson and violence on Friday, have been asked to fill a ‘performa of claims’ to claim the compensation. The performa is available in the offices of concerned Deputy Commissioner and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDMs).
Different Administrations have fixed different dates for submitting the applications, while making it clear that the same would not be accepted after the prescribed dates.
Rupnagar (Ropar) District Administration has asked the applicants to submit their duly filled claim forms by 5 pm till August 29, Mohali and Moga Administration has invited applications at the concerned SDMs offices within seven days.
In ludhiana, the claimants have been asked to submit their applications by 5 pm till August 30, while seven-day deadline has been fixed by the Faridkot Administration.
Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Ramvir appealed to the people to submit their claims to their respective Sub-Divisional Magistrates in the prescribed proforma within seven days, available in their offices in case any loss has occurred to citizen, organization, institution or company during the violent incidents on August 27 or subsequently.
Jalandhar District Administration stated that people could file claim for the compensation till August 29.
MOBIlE INTERNET SERVICES SUSPENDED TIll AUGUST 29
Punjab Government has decided to extend the suspension of mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA), all SMS services and dongle services till August 29 keeping in view the announcement of the quantum of punishment to the Dera sect head on Monday.
Spokesperson said that the “precautionary step” has been taken to maintain peace and communal harmony in the state. He said that all such necessary steps and measures were being taken in public interest to maintain law and order in the State.