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July 8, 2011
Arms training to Dera Sacha Sauda followers
Alarmed, SGPC wants govt to act tough
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, July 8
The SGPC and Akal Takht today expressed concern over reports that the Dera Sacha Sauda was reportedly providing arms training to its followers at its headquarters in Sirsa.
Talking to The Tribune, SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar asked why those who claim to be spreading religion needed a private army.
He said that the Centre had sent out a stern warning to Baba Ramdev who had announced his plan to raise an army of his 11,000 followers a few days earlier. “Similarly, the government should act tough against Dera Sacha Sauda too.”
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said the SGPC should take the issue seriously and should raise it with the state as well as the Union Government.
“Today, this dera is raising a private army. Tomorrow, others may follow suit. This is not a good sign,” he said adding that the government should act immediately on the matter.
Military had issued advisory in Dec
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 8
Based on intelligence reports compiled in December, the Military Intelligence Directorate had issued an “advisory” asking army personnel to refrain from getting involved with Dera Sacha Sauda and other similar outfits.
The advisory had stated that sister intelligence agencies had reported that some ex-servicemen were imparting arms training to dera activists.
The dera is based in Sirsa and that belt has a large ex-serviceman population. Besides, the advisory mentioned that some serving personnel were also reportedly taking part in social activities associated with the dera like blood donation and prayer meets.
“Association with such organisations have implications for security and discipline,” an officer said. “One cannot rule out the possibility of contact with anti-social, anti-national or subversive elements at gatherings where hundreds of persons are present,” it added.
Some officers fear that these are places where the mind can be subverted by playing communal and religious cards, thereby affecting their frame of mind and distracting individuals from their primary duties.
Unit commanders had been directed to sensitise troops about the implications and fallout of associating themselves with organisations that have known to create political, religious and social controversies and tensions.
The head of the dera Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh has been booked by the CBI for several alleged offences, including murder and rape. Dera followers have also created law and order problems and have gone on rampage more than once to block moves by the government to take action against Ram Rahim.
source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110709/punjab.htm#1
Arms training to Dera Sacha Sauda followers
Alarmed, SGPC wants govt to act tough
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, July 8
The SGPC and Akal Takht today expressed concern over reports that the Dera Sacha Sauda was reportedly providing arms training to its followers at its headquarters in Sirsa.
Talking to The Tribune, SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar asked why those who claim to be spreading religion needed a private army.
He said that the Centre had sent out a stern warning to Baba Ramdev who had announced his plan to raise an army of his 11,000 followers a few days earlier. “Similarly, the government should act tough against Dera Sacha Sauda too.”
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said the SGPC should take the issue seriously and should raise it with the state as well as the Union Government.
“Today, this dera is raising a private army. Tomorrow, others may follow suit. This is not a good sign,” he said adding that the government should act immediately on the matter.
Military had issued advisory in Dec
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 8
Based on intelligence reports compiled in December, the Military Intelligence Directorate had issued an “advisory” asking army personnel to refrain from getting involved with Dera Sacha Sauda and other similar outfits.
The advisory had stated that sister intelligence agencies had reported that some ex-servicemen were imparting arms training to dera activists.
The dera is based in Sirsa and that belt has a large ex-serviceman population. Besides, the advisory mentioned that some serving personnel were also reportedly taking part in social activities associated with the dera like blood donation and prayer meets.
“Association with such organisations have implications for security and discipline,” an officer said. “One cannot rule out the possibility of contact with anti-social, anti-national or subversive elements at gatherings where hundreds of persons are present,” it added.
Some officers fear that these are places where the mind can be subverted by playing communal and religious cards, thereby affecting their frame of mind and distracting individuals from their primary duties.
Unit commanders had been directed to sensitise troops about the implications and fallout of associating themselves with organisations that have known to create political, religious and social controversies and tensions.
The head of the dera Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh has been booked by the CBI for several alleged offences, including murder and rape. Dera followers have also created law and order problems and have gone on rampage more than once to block moves by the government to take action against Ram Rahim.
source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110709/punjab.htm#1