Chandigarh: The Army was on Thursday called in the highly sensitive Panchkula and Sirsa districts to deal with any law and order situation that may arise in the wake of Friday's court verdict involving head of Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 15-year old sexual exploitation case.
Like a stream, thousands of men and women - children in tow - have been flowing into the headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda.
Estimated to be over 1.5 lakh, they are camping in parks and on the road in Panchkula to show solidarity with their icon.
Director General of Police BS Sandhu told reporters that 20 columns of the Army from the western Command will be deployed in Panchkula along with the paramilitary and state police forces to handle any exigency.
On the sect chief's appearance in a special CBI court in Panchkula tomorrow, he said, "He is likely to appear in the court at 2.30 pm," as per IANS.
The Centre has already rushed more than 15,000 paramilitary personnel to Punjab and Haryana.
Flag marches were carried out by security forces in Panchkula, Sirsa, Hissar and other places while many hospitals have been put on alert as a precautionary measure.
The police were keeping a close watch on social media, particularly WhatsApp groups, Facebook and Twitter and have asked people not to spread rumours.
Indefinite curfew in Sirsa, three villages:
Indefinite curfew has been imposed in Sirsa town and three nearby villages from 10 pm tonight as a "precautionary measure" to maintain law and order. Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters are situated in Sirsa.
"Curfew will be clamped from 10 pm tonight till further orders in Sirsa city urban area and three villages - Nazia Khera, Shahpur Begu and Bajekan," Sirsa Deputy Commissioner Prabhjot Singh told PTI.
He said the step has been taken as a "precautionary measure" to ensure that law and order is maintained.
To a question on how long the curfew would be in place, Singh said, "It will remain in force till further orders. We will assess the situation in the morning and accordingly decide when to give relaxation."
Also Read - Profile of Gurmeet Ram Rahim
Also Read - Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and his controversies
Punjab on high alert:
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh too today said that he had authorised the state DGP to take any decision he deemed fit in order to ensure the safety and security of the people.
Over 12,000 Punjab Police personnel were on the ground, along with 85 companies of paramilitary forces, he added.
Punjab government offices in Chandigarh have been closed for a day, tomorrow, along with schools and colleges in the state.
Internet services were being suspended for 72 hours beginning Thursday evening following a collective decision to this effect by the authorities in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.
Meanwhile in Chandigarh, a decision to suspend mobile Internet services was taken in a coordination committee meeting chaired by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, VP Singh Badnore.
Dera Sacha Sauda has a huge following in both the states.
Rajnath talks to Haryana CM:
Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today spoke to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and apprised them of the emerging law and order situation ahead of tomorrow's court verdict in Panchkula.
Singh today assured Khattar of all help to deal with any situation which may arise after a court delivers its verdict, an official said.
In a telephonic conversation, the HM, who is in Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan, took stock of the law and order situation in the state.
The HM also spoke to Union home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and instructed him to provide all necessary assistance to the Haryana government.
Will appear in court, says Ram Rahim
On the other hand, Ram Rahim said today that he would appear in person before the special CBI court tomorrow while appealing to his followers to maintain peace.
"I have always respected the law. Even though I am having a backache, still abiding by law, I will go to court (tomorrow). I have full faith in God. Everyone should maintain peace," the 50-year-old Dera chief tweeted.
The sexual exploitation case was registered against the Dera chief in 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after anonymous letters were circulated about the alleged sexual exploitation of two 'sadhvis' (female followers) by Ram Rahim Singh.
The Dera chief, however, has denied these charges.
हमने सदा क़ानून का सम्मान किया है।हालाँकि हमारी back में दर्द है,फिर भी क़ानून की पालना करते हुए हम कोर्ट ज़रूर... https://t.co/KpTEsCSiUV
— Dr.GURMEET RAM RAHIM (@Gurmeetramrahim) August 24, 2017
(With Agency inputs)
