Security Tightened In Punjab Ahead Of Ram Rahim's Sentencing: Amarinder Singh

Security has been beefed up in Punjab ahead of pronouncement of quantum of sentence in the rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim Singh on Monday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said today.

He said no loss of life was reported in any of the minor incidents reported in some parts of Punjab after the Dera chief was convicted by a CBI court at Panchkula in Haryana.

Following the conviction of the sect head yesterday, at least 36 people were killed and over 250 injured in widespread violence, arson and police firing in Haryana.

Curfew has been lifted in three districts of Punjab and relaxed in the other areas, Mr Singh said, but made it clear there would be no let-up in security in the state till after the pronouncement of quantum of sentence in the case.

He said his government would not allow anyone to spread bad blood in Punjab and if needed, curfew would be reinforced in sensitive areas of the state on Monday.

Asserting that he would personally ensure peace in the state as long as he is in charge, the chief minister said it has been decided that ban on mobile data services would be extended till Tuesday.

Mr Singh said police officials had visited all 98 'Naam Charcha Ghars' (congregation centres) of the Dera in the state and recovered lathis, pipes, rods, axes and petrol bombs.

Nineteen potential trouble-makers have been taken into preventive custody and the crackdown would continue ahead of the sentencing, he told reporters here, adding that many main leaders of the sect, who may instigate the followers, are being arrested.

Informing the media about the law and order situation in the state in the wake of yesterday's violence at Panchkula after Ram Rahim was convicted of rape by a CBI court, the Punjab chief minister said there had been no trouble anywhere since last night.

According to an official spokesperson security has been beefed up at central and state government offices, railways, other important buildings and public properties for Monday.

Patrolling in sensitive areas has been intensified, more checkpoints have been put in place and round-the-clock checking is in progress, the spokesperson said, adding flag marches were being conducted by paramilitary and police personnel in many areas. "Dera followers would not be allowed to gather at 'Naam Characha Ghars'. Additional security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas with large number of Dera supporters and patrolling has been strengthened," the spokesperson said.

The Punjab Chief Minister expressed grief on the death of seven persons from Punjab in Panchkula violence, but made it clear that there was no loss of life in any of the minor incidents reported in some parts of the state yesterday.

Citing the data received from Haryana so far, Amarinder said 45 of the people injured in that violence were from Punjab and preparations have been made for cremation of the seven killed in the violence.

The DCs have been authorised to take decisions on enforcement of curfew in their respective districts, keeping in mind the situation on the ground, he said.

Mr Singh also claimed that the Haryana government, at no point in time, approached the Punjab to stop Dera supporters from reaching Panchkula. He said there had been no contact between him and Haryana Chief Minister Manihar Lal Khattar although the Punjab DGP had been in regular touch with his counterpart there.

All intelligence inputs received by the Punjab police had been shared with Haryana, the chief minister said.