Security beefed up over attack threats by Dera 'Sadhvis'

Chandigarh, Aug 24 (UNI) The police has been put on an alert in Punjab following apprehensions of ''suicide attacks'' by five female followers of Dera Sacha Sauda on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son Sukhbir Badal and other VIPs, According to highly-placed police sources, sketches had been circulated of the five Dera Sacha Sauda women devotees who had been identified as possible ''threat'' to the VIPs in the state. They all belonged to Bathinda district of Punjab. The possibility of them being even more in numbers could not be ruled out, they added.

On the basis of information from the state intelligence agencies that these women could ''attack'' the VIPs in ''suicide bids'', specially in public places, their security had been increased and a strict watch was being maintained for the suspected women, sources said.

According to sources, security personnel had been instructed to keep a close watch to prevent these women from entering any public venue or meeting. Their sketches had been circulated and police hoped to get information regarding them from people to be able to nab them.

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, who is facing court cases including of murder of a journalist and a former Dera employee and rape of women Dera inmates, recently created a furore when he allegedly emulated 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in a baptisation ceremony at Salabatpura on May 12.

His act, described as 'blasphamous' by Sikh leaders provoked violent clashes between the Dera devotees, known as 'premis' and Sikh activists for days together.

A case of hurting Sikh religious sentiments had been registered against the Dera Chief in Bathinda in this regard and the police were investigating the matter.

UNI