OCCUPY PANCHKULA!

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, August 23

With the date of judgment just two days away, about 1.5 lakh Dera Sacha Sauda followers have reached Panchkula.

The followers spilled from the Naam Charcha Ghar in Sector 23 into the entire city. They have been sitting in parks, on road dividers, roadsides and along the National Highway-73. 

On Tuesday night, the followers slept on the road separating Sectors 3 and 21 outside Tau Devi Lal Stadium. In the morning, the passage was blocked. They had to be moved to an open site in the afternoon in Sector 3 between Holiday Inn and the golf course to clear the passage. 

All roads leading to the Sector 1-based District Courts complex have been sealed. Barbed wires and barricades have been put up at Majri Chowk, the Suraj theatre at old Panchkula and Bella Vista Chowk. Barbed wires of 3 to 3.5 ft have been put up.

Commuters coming from Barwala and Raipur Rani were left harassed as they could not enter Panchkula via Majri Chowk.

The entry through the Housing Board light point has been squeezed as due to barricades vehicles could enter or leave only in a queue. 

The entry to Chandigarh near the Vigilance police station in Sector 17 has also been closed. Cops were seen mounted on horses in Sector 2 today. Advocates at the District Courts suspended work for three days, beginning today. “The decision has been taken to avoid harassment to advocates. On the day of the verdict, the entry of advocates would be from the Suraj theatre side,” said Abhishek Rana, a lawyer.

Deputy Commissioner Gauri Prashar Joshi had already announced the closure of all government and private educational institutions for three days — August 23 to August 25. She appealed to people and the dera followers to maintain peace in view of the August 25 order. “We have formed a peace committee and have been interacting with dera followers for the past two days,” she said.

Regarding rumours of closure of petrol pumps and business establishments, she clarified that as of now only educational institutions had been closed for three days. 

“We can’t comment on how he will reach here,” she said when asked whether the dera chief was reaching by a helicopter. Commissioner of Police, Panchkula, AS Chawla said, “Panchkula has been allotted 25 paramilitary companies, all of which will reach by tomorrow. Besides, 2000 cops have also been deployed.”

The police tested drone cameras, which will be deployed on August 25.

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UT schools, colleges closed for 2 days     

The Chandigarh Administration has announced that all educational institutions — schools and colleges -- in  Chandigarh (government, private, aided, unaided and technical) will remain closed on August 24 and 25. The decision has  been taken in  view  of the verdict to be pronounced by the CBI  court in Panchkula  in a case registered  against Dera  Sacha Suada chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Hry notifies holiday in P’kula Sec 2, 4, 5, 6  

The Haryana Government on Wednesday notified that there would be a gazetted holiday in government offices, boards/coporations and banks situated in Sectors 2, 4, 5 and 6 in Panchkula district on August 24 and 25. Special powers under the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881, in view of the law and order situation in Panchkula have been invoked.

Govt schools in Mohali open today  

Government schools in Mohali will remain open on Thursday and closed on August 25, the day the CBI court will pronounce its verdict in the rape case against dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Mohali Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Kaur Sapra said: “Fuel station owners have been told not to sell petrol/diesel in bottles. Section 144 has been imposed in the area.” Sapra said: “Residents need not panic. All arrangements have been made. We are keeping an eye on all activities and making rounds of the town. As many as 30 Duty Magistrates have been deputed in the district and the number will be increased, if need be.” Sandeep Hans, Additional Chief Administrator, GMADA, has been made the overall in-charge of the Dera Bassi sub-division, while Mohali ADCs Sanjiv Garg and Charandev Singh Mann are looking after Mohali and Kharar.

Exercise caution, Kirron asks residents

Kirron Kher, Member of Parliament, has advised residents of the city to be extra cautious during the next two days in view  of the verdict to be pronounced in the case against the dera chief. She  said while the Administration has announced  holidays in all educational institutions of Chandigarh on August 24 and 25,  residents should avoid  going out of their houses for the next  two days if it is not necessary. She appealed to the people to maintain peace at all cost.