Tens of thousands of followers throng Panchkula

With tens of thousands of followers thronging Panchkula ahead of the verdict on Friday in the alleged rape case against the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday came down heavily on the Haryana government for allowing the upsurge of Dera sect supporters in Panchkula.

Hearing a public interest litigation, the division bench, headed by acting Chief Justice S.S. Saron, directed the Centre to provide adequate security and asked the State administration to ensure that law and order was maintained. The court also warned Haryana’s Director General of Police of initiating action against him if the State failed to ensure required security.

The court also directed Mr. Rahim’s Dera (sect) to appeal to its congregating followers to return, while fixing the next date of hearing at 11:30 a.m on Friday.

Putting an end to speculation over attending the proceedings at the CBI special court in Panchkula on Friday, the Dera chief confirmed that he would appear despite a “back ache.”

A tweet from Mr. Rahim’s official handle said “we have always respected the law. Even though I have a back ache, abiding by the law, I’ll go to the court.”

Appealing for peace, the Dera added in the tweet: “'I have strong faith in god. Everyone should maintain peace.”

Mobile internet services and data services have been suspended in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh for the next the 72 hours, and, the police have beefed up security.

Haryana’s additional chief secretary, Home, Ram Niwas, said this decision was taken at a coordination committee meeting of Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh held under the chairmanship of Punjab governor V.P. Badnore.

“A notification for blocking mobile internet services and data services is being issued,” he said.

Supporters of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect assemble at a public park near Panchkula court premises on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Altaf Qadri

Trains cancelled

Mr. Niwas said it had also been decided to request the Union Ministry of Railways to immediately stop all passenger trains arriving at Chandigarh for the next two days. “Buses of Haryana Roadways coming to Chandigarh and Panchkula have already been stopped for two days,” he added.

In view of the situation, the Ministry of Railways decided to cancel several trains passing through Punjab and Haryana. An Indian Railways order said in wake of likely disturbance in law and order, a list of sensitive railway stations and sections have been identified.

“A large number of Dera followers are getting mobilised from different parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi. They may resort to violent agitation, if the judgment of [the] court is pronounced against Guru Ram Rahim. Disturbance to railways working and disruption in train operation cannot be ruled out,” the order read.

Mr. Niwas said as per earlier orders, Section 144 had been imposed in all districts, and, carrying any kind of weapon had been prohibited. “Dera followers are being relocated from sensitive areas. Besides, extra police force and 18 companies of paramilitary forces would also be available by the evening,” he said.

The Haryana government set up a State riot control centre at the police headquarters in sector-6, Panchkula, which will be operational round-the-clock. The Chaudhary Tau Devi Lal stadium complex in Panchkula and Dalbir Singh indoor Stadium in Sirsa had been declared as ‘special jails’.

Central paramilitary forces keeps vigil blocking the road leading to court complex in Panchkula on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: Akhilesh Kumar

Holiday declared

The Punjab government has declared holiday on Friday for government offices situated in Chandigarh.

Haryana and Punjab, especially, Chandigarh, are on high alert to deal with any situation on the law and order front. Several companies of the paramilitary forces have reached the twin States, with tight security arrangements being put in place.

The CBI’s special court in Panchkula last week reserved its judgment in the alleged rape case and directed the Dera chief to be present in court on Friday, when the judgment was set to be pronounced.

The Dera chief faces charges of rape following accusation by a former female follower of repeatedly raping her inside the Dera campus, situated near the Sirsa town. The alleged incident took place in 1999, while the FIR was registered in 2002.