Tight security before Dera chief’s court appearance

Express News Service Posted: Jul 05, 2008 at 0324 hrs
Ambala, July 04 The District administration has made elaborate security arrangements in view of the appearance of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the special CBI Court on Saturday.

He is facing charges of double murder and rape being pursued against him by the CBI.

He has also been receiving threats from Sikh organisations including the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab following the killing of a Sikh youth by his bodyguard in Mumbai.

There had been countrywide protests by the Sikhs against him following the death of the youth. The Sikhs have demanded that he should not be allowed to address his followers at the time of his appearance in the court. It is being said that he may not be allowed to address his devotees due to security reasons.

Extra police force has also been requisitioned to ensure that no one is allowed to reach the special CBI court, temporarily set up in the office of the Additional SP, police lines. Police personnel have also been put on watch at all vulnerable points of the city.

Entry points to the police lines have been sealed and no one will be allowed to reach the temporary court compound. Police authorities today held a meeting headed by Ambala Police Range Inspector General K K Sindhu in the office of the Superintendent of Police to review the security arrangements made for Saturday.

It is learnt that the services of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have also been sought. The District administration is also supposed to have sent a requisition for military alert. Superintendent of Police Subhish Kaviraj said that full security arrangements had been made and duty officers deployed in the area surrounding the police lines.

He said that the Dera chief would not be allowed to address his devotees. The Dera premies in the meanwhile have started coming to the city from Haryana, Punjab and other places. Local Dera followers have made arrangements for their meals and stay at the HUDA ground.