Tension after Premi plans Naam Charcha

Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 13

Tension prevailed in Kot Fatta village this evening over the state’s first proposed Naam Charcha after the dera chief’s conviction at a Premi’s home in the village.

However, the Punjab Police top brass has made it clear that it will not allow anyone to indulge in any religious or other activity that could disrupt peace in the village or elsewhere. No Naam Charcha has been held at any of 98 Naam Charcha Ghars of Punjab or at a dera follower’s house after August 25 — the day Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in a rape case.

No one was being allowed to even enter the property of the sect. Today, villagers heard of proposed holding of Naam Charcha by a staunch dera follower, Naib Singh, on Thursday on the “bhog” of his deceased brother.

The Sikh organisations, particularly the Sikh Students’ Federation (1984), threatened to not allow the proposed Naam Charcha in the village where violent Premis had torched a Sewa Kendra.

While Naib Singh was not available for comment, Paramjit Singh, president of the federation, said his organisation would not allow the Premis to hold a Naam Charcha until they get permission from the police or the district administration.

Kot Fatta acting SHO ASI Sadhu Singh said the police could not stop the ‘bhog’ ceremony, but the matter was being looked into by the police. The top police officials dispatched DSP Gopal Chand to inquire into the matter.