Curfew has been imposed in Sirsa, where the headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect is located as a CBI court is set to pronounce on Monday the quantum of sentence against godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh convicted on August 25 for raping two women.
Haryana DGP B.S. Sandhu said on Sunday that the death toll in the violence that followed Friday’s CBI court verdict had reached 38.
Mohammad Akil, Additional Director General of Police, Haryana said the quantum of sentence would be pronounced by the CBI judge at Sunaria jail in Rohtak, which has been designated as a special court, around 2.30 p.m.
“We have monitored the security arrangements in Rohtak and police officials have been given clear directions that they are free to take strong steps if the situation demands,” Mr. Akil said.
He said 2,300 Central forces were deployed around the jail where Singh is currently lodged.
Special courtroom
Inspector-General of Police, Rohtak Range, Navdeep Singh Virk said the CBI judge’s copter would land at a helipad near the jail and a special courtroom had been made in the prison.
The Haryana High Court had directed the State administration on Saturday to fly the CBI judge to Rohtak.
Deputy Commissioner, Rohtak, Atul Kumar said in a statement that police would not hesitate to shoot if anyone was found indulging in mischief.
Mr. Sandhu said 103 deras had been sanitised in Haryana and hundreds of sticks and petrol cans were seized. He said once the sentence was announced, they would storm the Sirsa headquarters as per the directions of the High Court. “Some people want to come out of the Dera headquarters in Sirsa and we are helping them. We will enter the premises on Monday after the sentence is announced. The Army is also on standby in Sirsa but they have not been deployed in Rohtak,” Mr. Sandhu said. He said there were no traffic restrictions in the remaining parts of Haryana but schools and colleges would remain closed.
Besides, the government has extended the suspension of mobile internet, SMS and data services till August 29.
“We have extended the suspension of mobile Internet services, including 2G, 3G, 4G, CDMA and GPRS, all SMS services and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, in the State till 11.30 a.m. on August 29, 2017,” said Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Ram Niwas.
Internet down
Internet lease lines on the premises of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa had been suspended till August 29. Any person found guilty of violation of these orders would be liable for legal action.
“The orders have been taken considering the critical law and order situation in the State, and to prevent any loss of life or further damage to public and private property. It has been reported by IG/CID that the situation is tense and violence may again continue for several days, especially on August 28, when the quantum of punishment will be announced,” he said.
“Since the environment is tense, rumours of different kinds may be spread through broadband and Internet lease lines on the premises of the Dera Sacha Sauda,” he added. In neighbouring Chandigarh, schools and colleges will function normally from August 28, according to an official release.
The administration in Fatehabad has imposed Section 144 in the district, prohibiting assembly of five or more persons and carrying of firearms and other weapons, till September 18, 2017. It has also warned the people not to gather in Dera Sacha Sauda and ‘naam charcha ghar’ established in the district.
In Kaithal, stringent security measures to maintain law and order has been put in place, including deployment of 36 duty magistrates along with videographers and police officers. Section 144 is in force.
