Ram Rahim sentencing: Tricity vary, 9,000 cops on streets

CHANDIGARH: Although the Tricity has started inching towards normalcy after Friday’s violence in Panchkula, security was beefed up on the borders of Panchkula, Chandigarh and Mohali on Sunday, a day before the Rohtak CBI special court’s pronouncement of sentence against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case.
Barricades were set up and hundreds of security personnel deployed at the borders of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali.All vehicles were thoroughly checked before they were allowed inside the three cities. As many as 9,000 cops, including paramilitary forces, have been deployed in the Tricity.
While the governments declared that all educational institutions, including schools and colleges in Panchkula and Mohali, would remain closed on Monday, the UT administration has decided to keep the schools and other educational institutions open. However, some private schools in Chandigarh have decided to remain shut on Monday.
In Panchkula, barbed wires and barricades were removed from within the city, but tight security arrangements were made at its borders and around some installations, including the district court complex and the government hospital.
Army personnel and cops in heavy numbers could be seen in many sectors of Panchkula.
Although the decision against dera chief would be pronounced in Rohtak, Panchkula residents were not taking any chances with the August 25 violence still fresh on their minds.
“We are still scared. We have the Army, paramilitary forces and cops around. But I think it’s due to the Friday’s violence that we are nervous,” said Gagan Kaur, a resident of Sector 2, Panchkula.
The roads leading to Panchkula from Zirakpur had a presence of hundreds of security personnel and all vehicles were checked before they were allowed inside the city.
Around 5,000 cops, including paramilitary forces personnel, were deployed on the borders of Chandigarh. Many border areas witnessed traffic jams also.
Chandigarh police senior officers said nakas would continue for at least a week given the situation.
Similarly in Mohali, 2,000 cops and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Derabassi, Lalru and Zirakpur.
“The security has been beefed up on the Mohali borders ahead of the sentencing. We are checking each and every vehicle entering and leaving Mohali,” said Mohali SSP KS Chahal.