Punjab Dera management asks police not to level ‘baseless’ allegations

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, August 23

The Punjab management of Dera Sacha Sauda has reacted strongly to the allegations that their followers had started storing petrol, diesel and weapons at Naam Charcha Ghars (congregation/prayer centres).

The management asked the police not to foment trouble in Punjab without any basis and invited senior police officers to check all their centres to prove the allegations.

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“It’s a baseless allegation that our supporters are storing petrol and weapons at our centres. As cops are standing guard at all our centres, how can our supporters store anything illegal? Senior police officers should first verify such allegations before issuing any letters on their false information,” said Harinder Insan Mangwal, member of the 45-executive dera committee of Punjab.

Mangwal, along with other senior members of the management, on Wednesday visited various centres in the district and asked all to respect the verdict of the court. They also asked followers to be alert about any “false information” being spread by miscreants through social media.

“Around 35 lakh followers from Punjab alone would reach Panchkula to hear the decision of the court on August 25, but it should not be taken negatively as the followers are attending all court hearings along with the dera head, who has been implicated in false cases,” alleged Mangwal.  

The letter, issued by the IGP (Law and Order) on August 22 to all SSPs, commissioners of police and IGPs, shared by the dera followers, says, “It has come to the notice that the Dera Sacha Sauda Premis have started storing diesel, petrol in drums at Nam Charcha Ghars in Faridkot district. They have stored sharp-edged weapons and stones on the roofs of Naam Charcha Ghars. On August 25, if the court would give a verdict against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, then devotees can use petrol and weapons to harm government/public properties. Therefore, you are directed to make required security arrangements.”

“We respect Punjab Police and judiciary. But cops do not have any right to level such baseless allegations,” said Mangwal.