Dera followers under intelligence and police radar

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, August 23

Activities of an estimated 1.20 lakh followers of Dera Sacha Sauda in the districts of Kurukshetra and Jind are being watched by the intelligence and police forces. Police sources said nearly 65,000 residents in Kurukshetra district alone were believed to be Dera followers.

Followers, including women, continue to gather at various places in the two districts but no untoward incident has been reported. Officials in Jind and Kurukshetra said there was no input of anyone engaged in any unauthorised storage of petroleum products, arms or other material.

Jind DC Amit Khatri said all seven ‘Naam Charcha Ghar’ (congregation/prayer centre of the Dera) in the district were under observation. He said people from other sects and communities had also been roped in the peace committee to ensure order in the district.

Khatri said there were nearly 55,000 dera followers spread all over the Jind district. He said the situation was under control.

Most of the followers from Jind are heading towards Panchkula where a CBI court is expected to deliver a judgment on Friday, said the DC.

However, official sources said the Dera followers had specific instructions to gather in a larger number in Panchkula and Sirsa, where the controversial Dera is headquartered.

Meanwhile, Kurukshetra SP Abhishek Garg said the deposition of firearms with the police was satisfactory and the police were fully geared up for to handle any situation. Garg led a flag march in the district this afternoon that passed through various towns.