Ram Rahim receives Z-plus security from the Haryana govt

Manohar Lal Khattar, the Haryana state minister, announced on Wednesday that the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, has been given Z-plus security protection based on threat perception.

Due to a threat to his life from ‘pro-Khalistan’ radicals, Ram Rahim has been granted high security protection.

Following his request, the Haryana government has suggested that the jailed sect leader be granted top-level security protection.

Rahim is on 21-day release from Sunaria jail and is camping in Gurugram. He will have 10 NSG security officers assigned to his mobile security and eight NSG security men assigned to his home security.

After the Haryana government decided that he did not fit into the category of tough prisoners, the Dera chairman was released on furlough on February 7.

In fact, the 21-day furlough came just days before Punjab’s Assembly elections on February 20, and he has a large following, particularly in Bathinda, Sangrur, Patiala, and Muktsar.

‘’A person is given security on the basis of threat perception.’’ Whether a prisoner is lodged in jail or out on furlough, it is the government’s job to ensure his security, Chief Minister of Haryana said.

‘’It is not that he demanded Z-plus security… till the time he faces the security threat, providing security is our job,’’ he added.

‘’He faces a high-level threat from radical Sikh extremists in India and abroad.’’ ‘’There are reliable inputs regarding the threat to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh from pro-Khalistan activists,’’ senior Haryana Police official to the Rohtak Range commissioner said.

For the murder of former journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati and the rape of two Dera disciples, the sect founder is currently serving a life sentence. In 2017, he was found guilty by a special CBI court in Panchkula.

He was brought to his ashram in Gurugram shortly after his release from the Sunaria jail in Rohtak. Haryana police have increased security in areas around his ashram.