Muktsar admn, police on their toes; curfew to be imposed in Malout again

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, August 28

As the quantum of sentence against convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will be announced on Monday, the Muktsar district administration and police are on their toes once again to thwart any untoward incident. Muktsar shares its boundary with Sirsa district.

The District Magistrate has ordered curfew in Malout town from 1 pm to 7 pm.

Besides, government teachers have been called to schools and told to reach within an hour. It is, however, being opposed by the teachers, saying it was impossible as the bus service was yet to resume in the district. “The district administration had earlier announced that all educational institutes would remain closed on Monday,” say the teachers.

However, Deputy Commissioner Sumeet Jarangal said he had requested the District Education Officer (DEO) to call the teachers who live in the nearby villages as schools have fire extinguishers. “In case someone tries to immolate themselves, the teachers can reach the spot immediately. There will be no attendance in schools. I have told representatives of teachers’ union that it is a request on humanitarian grounds,” the DC claimed.

Though the shops had opened in the morning, Police have told to shopkeepers to close them. The town wears a deserted look. Nobody is allowed to commute on any road in Muktsar town.