Haryana put on alert as Dera's 'MSG' hits screen on Friday, Feb 13

Chandigarh, Feb 12: Apprehending protests by Sikh groups, Haryana Police has put the state on alert on the eve of release of controversial film 'Messenger of God (MSG)', the debut movie of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of religious sect Dera Sacha Sauda.

Police force has been deployed at "vulnerable" points as groups opposed to the sect and the film had indulged in arson earlier in parts of Punjab and Haryana.

"The entire state is on alert. We have strengthened our police force and deployed it at vulnerable points (to maintain law and order)," Haryana Police, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order, Muhammad Akil told PTI today when asked about the measures being taken in the wake of release of the movie.

Asserting that the situation so far is normal, Akil, however, said that the police was taking precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident. "As per inputs received so far, the situation is normal," he said.

Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Kurukshetra around 200 meter radius of cinema hall where the movie is to be screened. The district authorities have warned of taking action under Section 188 of IPC (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) for violating the prohibitory orders.

District Magistrate CG Rajini Kaanthan yesterday held a meeting of the representatives of various Sikh groups who are opposing the release and Dera followers here. Stating that the Censor board has issued certificate for release of the movie on February 13, Kaanthan appealed to both the warring groups not to indulge in any violence and sought their support to maintain law and order.

The Kurukshetra administration asked people not to come in groups to watch the movie and treat this movie as like any other movie.

When contacted, Dera spokesman Aditya Insan told PTI that the movie would be released tomorrow in more than 2,500-3,000 screens across the country.

"All the state governments, including Haryana, have been requested to exempt the movie, 'MSG-The Messenger', from entertainment tax," he said.

PTI