Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan was put on high alert with beefed up security cover on Friday in the hindsight of the CBI court verdict in Panchkula verdict in the rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The administration has also banned mobile Internet services to maintain keep the law and order situation under control.
The Dera Sacha Sauda, which labels itself as a public welfare and holy organization, was set up in 1948. Ram Rahim took over as chief in 1990. He is married and has three daughters and a son. Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan is Ram Rahim’s birthplace. Rajasthan Roadways spokesperson said buses plying on Haryana and Chandigarh routes have been suspended. Sri Ganganagar district collector Gyana Ram and Hanumangarh district collector Prakash Purohit said police personnel have been deployed and security measures are in place to avoid all possible chaos. Senior officers of the district have been asked to keep a vigil and not leave district headquarter, they said, adding that the situation is completely under control.
Self-styled godman Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been convicted by the CBI court for raping two Dera Saccha Sadhvis in 2002. Sentencing for the same is to take place on August 28. High security through police forces, CRPF and army convoys has been moved around the CBI court premises in Panchkula and security forces are dispersing the crowd of more than 70,000 Dera Sacha Sauda devotees.
The death toll as a consequence of violence that has spread to numerous areas in Haryana has risen to 28 and 250 are said to be injured. Those injured in the conflicts are being treated at various hospitals in Panchkula and nearby areas. Ram Rahim’s punishment can be a jail term of not less than seven years but may even extend to life imprisonment.
