DGP visits city, says security arrangements in place

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana August 23

In the wake of the CBI court verdict in the rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the Ludhiana Commissionerate has made adequate security arrangements. Hinting that on-the spot FIRs would be lodged against trouble makers, jail authorities have been instructed to keep adequate arrangement to accommodate people in case of urgency.

The police have deployed adequate security outside two naam charcha ghar of the dera located in Moti Nagar and Koomkalan.

Director General of Police, Punjab, Suresh Arora also visited Ludhiana and held a meeting with the Commissioner of Police RN Dhoke; SSP, Ludhiana Rural, Surjit Singh and IG Jalandhar Range Arpit Shukla. He instructed officials to remain alert to meet any sort of emergency.

DGP, during the media interaction, said: “The Punjab Police have made adequate security arrangements so that law and order can be maintained in the state. Don’t go by any rumours being spread on social media.”

Police Commissioner RN Dhoke said: “Every thana SHO has conducted a meeting with dera premis, who assured to the police that law and order situation in the city would not be disturbed. We have one company of Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB) containing around 100 men. They will be deployed at strategic points to keep a tab over the situation.”

CP Dhoke said Section 144 of the CrPc is also in place, which will prevent assembly of persons or carrying of arms or sharp weapons and if anyone violates the section, he/ she would be put behind bars.

Troublemakers beware!

Police sources said the Ludhiana Commissionerate has written a letter to the authorities at Central Jail Ludhiana asking them to keep a space of over 2,000 persons in jail. The police have clear instructions from the headquarters to arrest troublemakers and put them behind bars. Even a special magistrate has been attached with the ACP-level officer for the purpose.

Cops on leave called back

Cops in the police commissionerate have been told not to ask for leave till the time the dera verdict phase passes off peacefully. Only those cops would be eligible for leave, who are facing any unavoidable emergency. The cops, who were on leave, have been asked to join back.

Cooperate with admn, Khamano residents told

Khamano: The civil and police administration of Khamano is taking all steps in view of Dera Sirsa Chief’s verdict on August 25. SDM Khamano Isha Singal held a meeting with prominent residents of the area and appealed to them to help the administration in dealing with the situation if need arises. She appealed to them to educate the masses to maintain peace. DSP Khamano Gurmeet Singh Singh said the police are maintaining a vigil and required number of police personnel and para-military forces have been deployed at main points.

Heavy police force in Jagraon

Jagraon: Heavy police force has been deployed in Jagraon as well as the surrounding areas. The situation kept the police authorities on toes throughout the day. Apart from Jagraon, tight security arrangements have been made in rural areas, where the number of dera followers is considerably high.

Apart from the local police, several companies of paramilitary forces have also been deployed to keep the situation under control. SSP Jagraon Surjit Singh said: “We have asked the Dera followers to practice restraint and be careful of rumours that can create tension. The dera followers have assured us that they will not create any law and order problem.” There is heavy police and paramilitary forces’ deployment at the entry and exit points of almost all villages. A flag march was also carried out in the city. Amid reports that dera followers could stock petrol, lathis and other weapons at naam charcha ghar, the SSP has asked top police officials to be alert. “No one will be allowed to disturb the peace and law and order situation in the state. Anyone found trying to disturb the peace of the state would be strictly dealt with,” the SSP said.  

Silence outside naam charcha ghar near Malakpur village

Khanna: There is complete silence in and around the naam charcha ghar situated on the Khanna-Bhari Road near Malakpur village and there is no gathering of premis inside as well. As per the SSP, there are only some sewadars inside. It is under strict watchfulness and four nakas have been set up around it. Security has been tightened in Khanna police district. Nakas have been  put up on all key points and a large number of police personnel and paramilitary forces are on guard at these nakas. A  fire brigade and an ambulance have been stationed outside the naam charcha ghar apart from the police personnel guarding the nakas around this site. 

SSP Khanna NS Mahal said four companies of paramilitary  forces including that of the Border Security Force and CRPF have been called and deployed at key points along with police teams. Meanwhile, Samrala SDM Amit Bamby said they have taken requisite steps and were ready to deal with any eventuality although he said there was no naam charcha ghar in their jurisdiction.

— Gurminder Singh Grewal

Security up at naam charcha ghar in Jagera village

Mandi Ahmedgarh: The rank and file in the police and civil administration remained on toes completing proactive measures for handling any unsavory situation on Friday, when the CBI court in Panchkula is expected to pronounce the verdict in the rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh. Besides enhancing security at naam charcha ghar at Jagera village on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla highway and one near Jalaldiwal village on the Raikot-Barnala road, the administration organised flag marches at Ahmedgarh and Raikot to boost the morale of residents. Circle officers Rachhpal Singh Dhindsa, Parminder Singh Cheema and SS Dhanoa lead the marches in their respective areas.  Peace meetings were organised by SDM Ahmedgarh Dr Preety Yadav and SDM Raikot Kannu Thind at various localities falling under their jurisdiction. Apprehending clashes between premis and the security forces, the administration advised all in charge, managers and owners of government and private hospitals to supplement and update arrangements to meet any emergency. Executive Magistrate Badal Deen advised senior functionaries at the hospital to ensure that no doctor or member of paramedical staff is absent from duty without reason. Meanwhile, uneasiness prevailed in the region. Though the situation was near normal till last week, it became charged after some of the office-bearers and activists of regional units of the Dera Sacha Sauda declared to adopt do or die policy in case the verdict of the court turns out to be against the dera chief. However, a majority of senior dera followers and premis have already left for Sirsa and Panchkula with an intent to show solidarity with the counterparts from other parts of the state. — Mahesh Sharma 

Other measures 

• Water canon vehicles, tear gas and anti-riot team put on alert mode (see pic)
• Cops in civvies to be part of protesters’ assembly
• Special deployment outside malls, multiplexes and religious places among other places
• All operation vehicles will be laced with video cameras
• Cyber cell told to take action if any rumour spread on social media
• CCTV cameras to be installed at probable protest sites
• Preventing VIP movement in areas where any suspected movement of drone comes to the fore
• Helipad provision at PAU, Glada ground, Sahnewal, GGN College, GRD academy, Seed farm Ladowal etc for emergency
• Special control room to monitor law and order situation across the state
• Fire tenders to be stationed at 12 designated places
• Mobile ambulance to be stationed at 18 places 

Sensitive points

Round-the-clock nakabandi will be done at all sensitive points. These include Sahnewal Octroi post, Meharban Chowk, Rajpura Chowk, Alamgir Chowk, Verka Milk Plant, Dhandari Kalan, Gill Canal Bridge, Samrala Chowk, Jodhewal Chowk, Sherpur Chowk, and Gill Chowk, Bijli Ghar, Lalto Kalan, Jagraon Nagar, Transport Nagar, Dhandari, Hambran, Jamalpur, Dehlon, Buddha Nullah Railway Bridge, Telephone Exchange, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Focal Point, Dhandari Kalan, Shimlapuri, Dehlon, Meharban, Koomkalan, Bhamkalan and Moti Nagar.