Chandigarh, Mohali deserted; Panchkula abuzz with activity

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 24

With all educational institutes–schools, colleges and even Panjab University–closed as a precautionary measure in the wake of the Dera verdict, Chandigarh and Mohali on Thursday wore a deserted look while Panchkula was abuzz with activity.

All the roads and streets in Chandigarh and Mohali were free of usual traffic congestion as there was no school/college/university transport plying and many government employees also skipping office as a precautionary measure.

The local police, with the assistance of paramilitary force which has reached Panchkula, Chandigarh and Mohali in large numbers, have taken positions. While all exit and entry points of the tricity region comprising Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali have been put under security check-points, the area in and around the CBI court complex in Panchkula has turned into a garrison. The vehicles entering Panchkula are subjected to extensive checking, following which there are reports of queues at the nakas while those plying in and between Chandigarh and Mohali are randomly checked.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The Deputy Commissioners–Gauri Parashar Joshi (Panchkula), Ajit Balaji Joshi (Chandigarh) and Gurpreet Kaur Sapra (Mohali), along with their respective police heads, AS Chawla (Panchkula Police Commissioner), Tajender Singh Luthra (Chandigarh Director General of Police) and Kuldeep Singh Chahal (Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police )--were seen on their toes to review the elaborate arrangements put in place.

Lakhs of followers of the dera head, who have already swarmed Panchkula, have caused a lot of inconvenience to the locals with their open defecation, bathing, cooking, eating and sleeping in the open areas.

The tricity officials, while assuring that the situation was totally under control and there was nothing to worry, have appealed to the residents to maintain peace and harmony and not get swayed by rumours.