High alert in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar as Ram Rahim held guilty of rape

Jaipur: Rajasthan police has been put on high alert in areas bordering Punjab after self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim was pronounced guilty of sexual harassment by a Panchkula court on Friday.

The administration in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar districts had on Thursday imposed section 144 of CrPC, banning gathering of five or more people and snapped mobile internet services for 48 hours to prevent spread of rumors ahead of the Ram Rahim rape verdict.

Officials said that meetings were held with supporters of Dera Sacha Sauda. They were appealed to maintain peace and harmony.

Police officials said that they were ready to deal with any kind of law and order situation that may be created following the verdict.

Police barricades were put up at several places on Rajasthan – Haryana border. Sangaria, Nohar and Bhadara areas of the district were particularly under a close watch of the police and district administration. CRPF jawans have been put on guard in the border areas.

The situation was normal in Gursar Modia village, the birthplace of Ram Rahim.

Four companies of Special Task Force have been deployed in the two districts.

Rajasthan Roadways buses didn’t ply between these two districts and Punjab and Haryana.

The case, filed in 2002, accuses Ram Rahim of sexually exploiting two women followers at his ashram; he has denied any wrongdoing. Separately, a court has asked the CBI to investigate whether he encouraged 400 men to undergo castration, promising it would benefit them spiritually.

The verdict came on Friday afternoon. The self-styled godman was held guilty of rape by a Panchkula court.

Read also: Ram Rahim rape verdict: Internet services snapped in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar