Police seeks Punjab govt's approval to arrest Dera Chief

Bhatinda, June 23 (UNI) The police today sought the permission of Punjab government to arrest the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs.

Bhatinda police chief Naunihal Singh told UNI here that police wrote to the state government seeking sanction to arrest the Dera head as the court had asked it to seek prior permission from the government.

The local court had on May 20 issued a conditional non-bailable warrant against the head of Sirsa-based sect.

The order of the Bhatinda court had to be executed by July 1.

The state had witnessed violent clashes last month between the Sikh activists and the Dera followers triggered by the Dera chief's appearance in newspaper advertisements clad in an elaborate attire similar to one worn by tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, which the sikhs strongly objected to.

Meanwhile to press for the Dera Chief's arrest, the Khalsa Action Committee's had decided to go ahead with the 120-km Khalsa March tomorrow from from Gurdwara Zafar Nama at Dina Sahib in Moga district to Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo tomorrow.

Top police officials today reviewed the security arrangement in Moga and held meetings with various leaders in view of the proposed march which would also pass through Salabatpura, the main Sacha Sauda centre in Punjab.

Inspector General Police M K Tiwari, along with DIGs of Ferozepur and Bhatinda Range and other officials, conducted a survey with para military forces at camp office at Dina Sahib here to ensure that the march passes off peacefully tomorrow.

More than 4,000 police and para military forces personnel will be deployed, he said.

The IGP declared that law and order will be maintained at all cost and nobody will be allowed to disturb the peace. He also appealed to the organisers of the Khalsa March to maintain discipline.

UNI