A day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court pronounced its verdict on performing the last rites of Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan head Ashutosh in 15 days, his supporters today continued to fortify the dera complex. They ensured that the police and the media were kept away from the premises.
The police presence outside the dera has increased since yesterday. Women constables have also been put on guard.
Nurmahal Station House Officer Gulshan Lal Sharma and Goraya SHO Daljeet Singh Gill are keeping a vigil outside the dera with their teams.
The dera officials have put up barricades within the radius of 1 km of the dera. All vehicles plying on the road to the dera and the adjoining Kotlan village are being frisked by them.
Mediapersons and policemen were allowed only till 500 metres from the premises, that too after heated arguments. Private security men of the dera, carrying wireless sets, ensured that no one was allowed beyond that point. They claimed they had put up barricades on the village road on the directions of the police and the district administration.
The dera has at least five check points where its functionaries have their offices. In front of a building where the body of Ashutosh has been lying since Janaury 29, there are five check posts and two high rise gates. No one is allowed near these gates.
The followers claimed that the dera functionaries were away to Delhi. None of the officials was ready to comment.
Officials refuse comment
Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal refused to say anything on the issue. Principal Secretary, Home, Jagpal Singh Sandhu said: “Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner has been briefed on the steps that need to be taken. You may talk to him.”
Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav said he was at a meeting in Chandigarh. Jalandhar Range DIG Kunwar Vijay Pratap said he was on duty as election observer in Jammu and Kashmir.