Punjab: Section 144 imposed, security stepped up ahead of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh rape verdict

The Punjab Government has imposed section 144 across the state, a day before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court is scheduled to give its final verdict in the 14-year-old rape case against the Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

All schools and colleges will remain shut on August 25.

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh's office said in a statement that a complete ban has been issued on carrying of firearms until the tension diffuses.

In order to thicken the security blanket in the state, the CM has also directed the withdrawal of 1,000 police personnel from VVIP security for deployment on field duty.

Eighty-five central companies and thousands of policemen will patrol the state, including vulnerable areas like Moga, Bathinda, Sangrur, Barnala, Patiala and Ludhiana.

Security along the state’s borders with Haryana has also been tightened.

According to ANI, 87 companies of CRPF including Rapid Action Force willbe deployed in Panchkula at the time of hearing.

A court in Panchkula is expected to pronounce the verdict on Friday.

Two women who were followers of Dera Sacha Saudahad alleged that they were sexually assaulted at the sect'sheadquarters in Sirsa.

The hearing has been going on since 2007