Ahead of Dera verdict, Gurugram administration on high alert

Gurugram: The Gurugram district administration has begun taking measures to prevent any trouble that may emanate post the verdict of special CBI court in a rape case in which Gurmeet Ram Rahim is an accused. The court has reserved its judgement and is likely to pronounce the verdict on August 25.

Taking cognisance of the trouble that may be caused by the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda sect, Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh has ordered imposition of Section -144 in certain areas of Gurugram. Strict directions have been provided to law enforcers to prevent the congregation of five or more people in a particular place. Purchase of large quantity of diesel and petrol has also been banned in the district petrol pumps till August 26 when the situation begins to normalise.

There will also be close surveillance by the cyber team of Gurugram police on the people that may use to the digital platform to deteriorate the situation.

Three battalions of police, 50 Sector Magistrates and 20 District Magistrates have been entrusted with the responsibility to maintain the law and order in their particular regions. Sources, however, indicated that if required, there may be more forces that may be deployed to deal with the protests by the follower that may follow if the order go against their spiritual leader. While Gurmeet Ram Rahim resides in Sirsa, Haryana, he has large number of followers in Gurugram along with other major districts of Haryana and Punjab.

Lakhs of his admirers have already begun assembling in Panchkula to lend their support. "We trust the citizens of Gurugram and believe that they will not take any action that will be against the law. We, however, are taking certain precautionary measures to ensure that there is no untoward incident that might occur after the verdict," said a senior official of Gurugram police.