Students from other states enrolled in various colleges in Haryana and Punjab have begun to leave the state fearing violence ahead of the court judgement in a sexual exploitation case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh on 25 August.
Scores of students Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were reported to have left campuses from across educational institutions in Haryana.
One student said, “There’s a fear among students. We don’t know what to do. Many of our friends have already returned home. We too are planning the same,” said one student wishing anonymity.
Earlier today, the state government in Punjab took several steps including imposition of prohibitory orders and holding of flag marches to prepare themselves to deal with any law and order situation on 25 August
Apprehending law and order problems, senior police and administrative officers of Haryana, Punjab and UT Chandigarh today held confabulations to take stock of the security arrangements, officials said.
“Section 144 (which bars gathering of more than 4 persons at a place) has been imposed in all the districts of Haryana,” the states Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas said here while briefing about the security arrangements.
He further said that carrying of any kind of stick or weapon has also been prohibited at Naam Charcha Ghar of Dera followers, amid reports that premis (dera followers) had started descending at different places including Panchkula and Ambala.
The Home Department of Chandigarh UT today decided to declare the cricket stadium in sector 16 as temporary jail on August 25, the day the special CBI court is to pronounce the verdict in the case against Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.
Officials said the temporary jail can be used to confine people suspected of creating law and order problem. Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar also held parleys with top police and administrative brass.
(With inputs from PTI)