Declaring Malwa region of Punjab as the “most sensitive”, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that he has authorised the state police chief to impose curfew wherever required.
“I have authorised the state DGP to impose curfew, if needed, to maintain law and order in Punjab in view of Ram Rahim rape case verdict,” said Capt Amarinder Singh.
Chief Minister said that the state would not hesitate to take the help of the army. “Army is on standby…12,000 Punjab Police personnel and 85 paramilitary companies are on the ground to ensure peace and security across the state,” he said.
The 7000-odd cops still under training had also been called out and deployed to strengthen the security, said Captain Amarinder.
“Western Command of the Indian Army is on standby to tackle any eventuality arising out of the judgement, expected on Friday afternoon,” said Capt Amarinder.
“The entire police force is keeping a tight vigil to maintain peace and tranquillity in the state,” said the Chief Minister, who is personally monitoring the situation.
Any attempt to foment trouble in the state will be dealt with an iron hand, the Chief Minister said, adding that a tight security blanket had been put in place across the state.
Police personnel on the ground, under the supervision of senior officers, were maintaining strict vigil, particularly in the sensitive districts of the state. The Chief Minister said that he had directed the security forces to be prepared to respond sternly to any attempt to disrupt the state’s peace.
“Nobody wants troubles in Punjab and we will not allow anyone to vitiate the state’s atmosphere,” Captain Amarinder said, adding that the Dera Sacha Sauda premis are also Punjabis and do not want to destroy peace.
Pointing out that all religious bodies, including the SGPC, had also appealed to the people to remain calm, the Chief Minister said that it was in the interest of all the people of the state to ensure that the state remains peaceful at all costs.
While the government could not interfere in a judicial decision, it was duty-bound to be prepared, he said, assuring the people of Punjab that nobody would be allowed to compromise the state’s hard-earned peace.