The Haryana government on Thursday designated two stadiums as “special jails” fearing the situation may go out of control once the verdict in the rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is announced on Friday, reported News 18. Chaudhary Tau Devi Lal Stadium Complex in Panchkula district and the Dalbir Singh Indoor Stadium in Sirsa district have been re-designated.
Haryana’s Additional Chief Secretary, Jails Department, Ram Niwas issued a notification about the re-designation after over a lakh supporters of Ram Rahim gathered in Panchkula on Thursday.
Besides this, the central government has assured Punjab and Haryana that it will help with security arrangements. Paramilitary forces have been sent in, while police forces are also on stand by.
The high courts of Punjab and Haryana also requested the Dera Sacha Sauda to ask their supporters to leave Panchkula and not gather in such numbers. Despite this, both states are on lockdown – schools will be shut tomorrow and roads have been cordoned off. Mobile services, besides voice calls, have also been suspended in Chandigarh.
The United States has issued a message to its citizens asking them to avoid large crowds and monitor local media when visiting the region.
The sexual assault case
In 2012, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered a case be registered against Singh after anonymous letters had been circulated, claiming the self-styled godman had raped at least two of his women followers.
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