The premises of the Dera is spread over 800 acres. (Image for representation)

The sanitisation of the sprawling Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters has begun near Haryana's Sirsa town following sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's conviction in a rape case. The mammoth exercise involves a coordinated effort by security forces and various government departments.

The search was being conducted under the supervision of court commissioner AKS Pawar appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Courts. Forty-one paramilitary companies, four Army columns, cops from as many districts, a SWAT team, and a dog squad have been deployed for the search of the Dera headquarters. Security has also been deployed at Satnam Chowk, the main entrance to the sect headquarters.

District officials said that the "mystery" over the "dirty secrets" of the Dera and its now jailed chief, who has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by a CBI special court on two counts of rape of his female disciples, could be revealed in the search operation.

Security deployed at Satnaam Chowk (ANI Photo) Security deployed at Satnaam Chowk (ANI Photo)

A curfew has been imposed in areas surrounding the Sirsa headquarters and there will be no relaxation until the search operations continue. "Dera has always followed law. Appeal followers to maintain peace," said Vipassana Insan, Dera Spokesperson on search operations.

The entire sanitisation process will be videographed.

HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW The premises of the Dera, whose chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was jailed in rape case, is spread over 800 acres and houses educational institutions, markets, hospital, stadium, recreational areas and houses. While the sanitisation process will be overseen by the court commissioner, Haryana police personnel, paramilitary forces, duty magistrates, executive magistrates and revenue officials will also be part of the exercise. As many as 16 'nakas' (check points) have been set up near the Dera. A total of 41 Companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in Sirsa district. Bomb Squad at Dera headquarters (ANI Photo) Bomb Squad at Dera headquarters (ANI Photo) Personnel from the anti-bomb disposal squad and 40 commandos of the 'Special Weapons and Tactics' (SWAT) team and dog squad will also be deployed. Among the central forces, CRPF, Sashastra Seema Bal, Rapid Action Force and BSF are deployed in Sirsa. Aerial surveillance is also likely to be maintained when the sanitisation will take place. Bullet-proof vehicles are also likely to be used in the process, they said. The police and the Dera management have maintained that licensed weapons have been deposited by most Dera followers at Sirsa with the police authorities. Large-scale violence broke out in Panchkula after the Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's conviction in rape cases, leaving 35 people dead. Six others died in incidents of violence in Sirsa. Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

(With inputs from PTI)

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