Dera Chief Conviction: After Panchkula, Sirsa, will Rohtak face violence?

Rohtak: The violent supporters to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh have already set two prominent districts of Haryana – Panchkula and Sirsa – on fire, and now it seems that Rohtak is next in line to face loss of lives and public property in the coming days.

After being convicted in a rape case by a Special CBI court earlier in the day on Friday, Dera chief was airlifted in an Army chopper to be brought to the Police Training Center in Sunaria here. He has been kept here in a rest house with tight security arrangements in and around the premises. A CISF team had already reached to the place even before the arrival of the Dera chief.

CISF has cordoned off the entire region in three-kilometre radius. Stringent security measures have been taken keeping in view the violence in Panchkula and Sirsa districts which has led to 30 deaths, over 250 people getting injured and more than 150 vehicles being torched.

The district administration has also evacuated the railway stations and bus stands in the district. Apart from that the government has also ordered to seal the borders of the entire district for the Dera followers.

Also Read: Dera Chief Conviction: Panchkula DSP suspended after 30 deaths

According to a report published by a leading English daily, a secret report has revealed that the Dera supporters might breach into the district by Friday morning. Taking the tip-off very seriously, the district police has beefed up security across the region and is not letting any vehicle pass without thorough checking.

According to the sources, Rohtak itself carries around 12,000-15,000 followers of the self-styled godman. So, the district police might face tough times in dealing with them if they resort to violence in the coming days protesting against the court's judgement.

The state government has also beefed up the security of VIPs of the state. State Finance Minister Captain Abhimanu and Cooperative Minister Manish Grover have been given extra security at their residence. The reason behind the move was the 20106 incident in which during the 'reservation movement', Captain's house was set ablaze by the protesters.

Speaking over the security arrangements in the district, SP Pankaj Nain said, "Specuial security measures have been taken. Dera supporters are not being allowed to enter inside the district. We have already imposed Section 144 in the district. If anyone tried to disrupt peace, stringent action will be taken."