Thousands of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim are squatting in parks and on roadside in Pachkula’s Sector 23 in the wake of the court verdict against their spiritual leader on Friday. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court here will pronounce the judgment in a rape case against Ram Rahim on Friday.
Police have made elaborate arrangements to not let the law and order going out of hands in case Ram Rahim is found guilty. The presence of thousands of followers is giving sleepless nights to the administration, as there is apprehension of a backlash if the verdict is against the sect head.
Ram Rahim has been asked by the court to appear in person. Sources said at least 50,000 followers have already reached Panchkula town in Haryana and the number is swelling still. Followers are coming by all modes of transportation and many can be seen walking into the town. The town is flooded with people from Malwa belt of Punjab, where the sect has a strong following.
The Chandigarh administration is equally concerned and it has decided to convert the Sector-16 cricket stadium into a temporary jail on the day of the judgment.
There are reports that followers were stockpiling weapons and petrol at congregation centres of the sect in neighbouring SAS Nagar, a town falling in Punjab. The Punjab Police has issued orders to senior officers of the force to look into the matter.
“It has come to light that the Dera Sacha Sauda in its naam charcha ghar have started storing diesel and petrol and have also started storing sharp-edged weapons on roofs. They may use this against government property or police on August 25 if verdict of the court comes against dera. You all are requested to check this sort of activities by the dera in your region, and depute appropriate manpower to prevent such activity,” states the letter issued by inspector general of police or IGP (law and order).