National
Curfew-like restrictions in Chandigarh; mobile Internet, rails to shut (Lead)
Chandigarh, Aug 24 (IANS) Authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in Chandigarh and at nearby Panchkula and shut mobile internet services in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh for three days from Thursday as a special CBI court prepared to give its verdict in a rape case against Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Friday.
Fearing violence by the huge mass of Dera supporters gathered at the sect headquarters at Sirsa in Haryana and at Panchkula where the court is based, officials announced several other restrictive steps even as the sect chief appealed to his followers to maintain peace.
Plying of buses to Chandigarh and Panchkula would be suspended till Friday. Likewise, the Railways cancelled 22 trains bound for Haryana. A Northern Railway spokesman said six trains going to Haryana were cancelled on Thursday.
Nearly two lakh sect followers have descended on Panchkula, where the CBI court is based, and nearby places from mostly across Punjab and Haryana.
Ending speculation, sect chief Ram Rahim Singh said he would appear before the court on Friday. “I have always respected the law. Despite a pain in my back, I will obey the law and must visit the court,” he tweeted in Hindi on Thursday.
He urged his followers to maintain peace. “I believe in God. All should maintain peace.”
The sect chief, who has lakhs of followers mainly in Punjab and Haryana, has been accused by a former female follower of raping her in the sprawling Dera campus on the outskirts of Sirsa, 260 km from Chandigarh.
The hearing in the case has been going on since 2007.
More than 15,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Punjab and Haryana, a senior official told IANS.
In a bid to discourage more people from reaching Panchkula, Haryana Roadways stopped plying buses for two days bound for Chandigarh and Panchkula.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told all ministers and legislators to be in their constituencies till Friday.
Haryana Additional Chief Secretary Ram Niwas told reporters that mobile internet services would be shut in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh for three days in a bid to prevent spread of rumours relating to the court verdict.
He said this decision was taken at a meeting of Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh officials held here on Thursday.
He said a joint control room of Haryana and Punjab would be set up in Chandigarh.
Niwas said prohibitory orders had been imposed in all districts of Haryana and carrying of weapons had been prohibited.
“Besides extra police force, 18 companies of paramilitary forces would be available by this evening,” he said.
Ten senior IPS officers have been deployed and two Additional Director General-level officers have been told to ensure peace. In addition, 10 Duty Magistrates will be at various locations.
As a precaution, the administration has declared a three-day holiday in all schools in Chandigarh till Saturday. The Haryana government too has closed all colleges and libraries in Panchkula district till Friday.
In Punjab, prohibitory orders have been imposed and all schools and colleges would be closed on Friday, a government spokesperson told IANS.
All Punjab government offices located in Chandigarh will be closed on Friday.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who reviewed a security meeting here on Wednesday, directed authorities to withdraw 1,000 police personnel from VVIP security and deploy them to strengthen security in the state.
A riot control room has been set up in Panchkula.
The government has declared Chaudhary Tau Devi Lal Stadium Complex in Panchkula and Dalbir Singh Indoor Stadium is Sirsa town as Speical Jails.
–IANS
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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
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