150 paramilitary companies sought

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 17

The state government today filled important administrative posts in Sirsa district in view of the Special CBI Court, Panchkula, reserving its verdict in a sexual assault case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for August 25.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Police has asked for 150 companies of paramilitary forces from the Centre to tackle any law and order situation as a fallout of the verdict.

While Sharandeep Kaur Brar, Sirsa DC, was transferred to Ambala and Prabhjot Singh, Ambala DC, appointed in her place, Ashwin Shenvi, Sonepat SP, was posted Sirsa SP against a vacant post. Besides DC, HCS officer Vijender Hooda was posted as SDM, Ellenabad, Pradhuman Singh as Ratia SDM and Ashwani Kumar as Dabwali SDM.

Sirsa is Ram Rahim’s headquarter and the current postings and transfers are seen as a precautionary measure in case of law and order problem in the run-up to the verdict.

Haryana and Punjab yesterday put the police on alert in view of the CBI court’s verdict. The dera wields a considerable influence in both the states.

Meanwhile, BS Sandhu, Haryana DGP, asserted that adequate security arrangements had been made in the state keeping in view the verdict. “The police have sought 150 companies of paramilitary forces from the Centre. The leave of police personnel has been cancelled in view of the security arrangements,” Sandhu said.

He claimed security arrangements would be closely monitored in sensitive areas of Panchkula, Sirsa, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Hisar, Fatehabad and Jind. It had been directed to make adequate security arrangements in sensitive areas from today, he said.