It’s the aftermath of verdict that’s worrying us: Cops

Mohit Khanna 

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 23 

The city railway station has turned into a fortress ahead of the verdict in the rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on August 25. 

Forty Government Railway Police officials led by GRP (Ambala) SP Kamaldeep and 20 Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel today launched a massive search operation at the station. 

Bags of passengers coming by the Ferozepur-Chandigarh Express were checked. As many 100 personnel of the Chandigarh Police were deployed outside the railway station to check vehicles.

Apart from putting up a naka, the police also stationed a fire tender and a riot control vehicle at the railway station. 

Sources said the GRP had demanded 50 more security personnel while 100 RPF men would arrive tomorrow to man the station. 

A GRP official said over 5,000 men, women and children had come to the city by the Kalka-Barmer Express, Intercity Express and Ferozepur-Chandigarh Express. 

 “What’s worrying us is the aftermath of the verdict. Imagine the sight when such a huge number of followers will flock to the railway station to go back,” said the RPF officer. 

The police have closed all alternative routes, including escalators. “Only one door at the entrance remains open for the entry and exit of passengers,” he said.

But the restrictions caused inconvenience to the passengers, especially women and the elderly.

People had to carry patients to reach platforms 1 and 2. Surinder Singh, who was with his wife, said: “We were not allowed to take the escalators. My wife is not well and I had to carry her till platform number 2.”

Two passersby helped one Gurdeep Singh, who had come to see a doctor at the PGI, climb the stairs. Gurdeep had come by train from Jagraon. 

Umbrellas seized 

The police were seen stopping people carrying umbrellas.  Sources said in the morning, they seized umbrellas made of iron, aluminium and steel from passengers coming by the Barmer Express.   

Docs’ leave cancelled

Rakesh Kashyap, Director, UT Health Services, said an alert had been sounded in all hospitals.  Leave of all doctors had been cancelled till the verdict, he added. 

Counselling at PGI cancelled 

The counselling for BSc paramedical was cancelled after the PGI authorities received several calls from aspirants who expressed their inability to make it to the counselling, which has been rescheduled for August 28, 2017. Bur the date is clashing with the mop-up round of counselling of MBBS/ BDS courses of different states scheduled from August 27 to 30.

Peace panels hold meetings

Peace committees have been holding meetings with religious leaders, politicians and prominent personalities of the area in various parts of the district. Members have been urging the people to maintain peace and harmony. 

PRTC buses stop plying

PRTC buses have stopped plying on the Patiala-Mohali route. As many as 2,000 police personnel have been deployed to maintain the law and order situation in Mohali. In Dera Bassi too, security has been stepped up. In sensitive areas, 800 personnel have been deployed. “Dera followers are not staying here. The next two days are crucial and officials are on toes,” said SSP Kuldeep Singh Chahal. He said nakas had been put up at all entry points. 

Security up at airport 

Security has been tightened at the Chandigarh airport. Inspector HS Ball said the number of personnel deployed there had been doubled. “Every vehicle is being checked,” he said.

No escalators

The police have closed all alternative routes, including escalators, at the railway station. Only one door at the entrance remains open for the entry and exit of passengers.