Ahead of Ram Rahim rape verdict, 74 trains cancelled; Army on high alert

Sirsa (Haryana): The paramilitary troopers took out flag march in Sirsa on Thursday night ahead of the rape case verdict involving Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The district administration said that curfew has been imposed in Sirsa city and three villages, adjoining the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters from 10 PM on Thursday, till further orders.

Bajekan, Nejiyakhera and Shahpur Begu are the villages where curfew has been imposed.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Prabhjot Singh said the paramilitary forces and the Haryana police have been vigilant to prevent any untoward incident.

"We did the flag march whole day to maintain peace. The curfew was imposed at night so that no one creates ruckus. The Army has also been called to maintain peace in the villages," Singh said.

As many as 74 trains have been cancelled for Friday in view of law and order situation in Haryana. This takes the total number of cancelled trains to 201, including 92 Mail/Express and 109 Passenger trains.

The possibility of an outbreak of violence in Haryana has also affected the cost of air travel. Reportedly, the fare from Delhi to Chandigarh has risen up to as much as Rs. 11,000.

Earlier on Thursday night, Dera Sacha Sauda chief asked his supporters, who have been camping in Panchkula, to return to their homes and maintain peace.

The Dera Sacha Sauda chief released a video message asking his supporters, camping in Panchkula, to go back home. He also asked his supporters to respect the law and maintain peace.

"I appeal to everyone to maintain peace. I had earlier also asked the Dera followers, who have gone to Panchkula, to return to their home. I will go to court .We all should respect law and maintain peace," he said in the video message.

Thousands of Dera Sacha Sauda followers have been camping in Panchkula ahead of the Friday verdict.

The video message came ahead of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court's verdict in the 15-year-old rape case against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief.

Earlier on Thursday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and assured him of adequate forces for security.

Meanwhile, the internet and mobile phone services have been suspended for 72 hours in Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory Chandigarh to prevent any untoward incident.

Around 53 companies of paramilitary forces and 50000 personnel of Haryana Police have also been deployed. In addition, army has also been alerted.

The administration has also been asked to take stringent action possible if someone tries to break the law.