Lucky escape for Ggn from wrath of Dera goons

Gurugram: Shortly after 3 pm when the judge of the special CBI court in Panchkula gave the verdict against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, all hell broke loose as Dera Sacha Sauda followers turned to hooliganism and started attacking media personnel and policemen.

While Panchkula and regions around it were engulfed in violence in a major reprieve for Haryana government, Gurugram district remained normal and calm even as violence was reported from neighbouring Delhi and Ghaziabad.

The official report prepared by the deputy commissioner office had stated that there are over 5,000 followers of Dera Sacha Sauda sect in the district. Though the numbers of admirers are not as large as other districts of the state, the public administration did not take any chance in being complacent.

Taking cognisance of the large number of congregation that was taking place at Panchkula, the deputy commissioner on urgent basis banned the purchase of large quantities of diesel and petrol in the district.

There was also no let up by the district administration in the communication front where it tried to allay all the anxieties and fear of people on account of the impeding verdict.

On Friday, also keeping in view of the precarious situation, a flag March was conducted in various parts of the district by the Gurugram police. The areas which were covered included Rajiv chowk, Subhash chowk, South City-II, Old Gurugram markets and the Dera Sacha Sauda Ashram located in Sector-51.

Simardeep Singh DCP (Traffic) led the command of 450 police personnel that included both men and women who were responsible for guarding the busy and sensitive areas. During the briefing, he directed his team in the proper anti-riot activities.

"You don't have to fear in using the force, if you know you are right. You have been given the training to deal with the emergency situation efficiently," said the DCP Traffic.

Later in the evening, another round of flag march was conducted in south Gurugram districts of Kherki Daula, IMT Manesar, Bilaspur, Sohna, Bhondsi and Badshahpur to survey the situation.

Bharat Bhushan Gogia the sub divisional magistrate made various rounds to the Dera Sacha Sauda ashram to make sure that there is no untoward incident that takes place around the place.

Haryana government continues to face flak over handling the situation during the violence carried out by the protestors of Dera Sacha Sauda sect, the Jat protests in 2016, though in both situations, Gurugram was not affected adversely.

"As a concerned citizen, I have lot of issues with the governance of the city but there have been times in which I feel that the public administration have taken the responsibility and have served the citizens well," said Rahul Sachdeva, a city resident.