Chandigarh, Feb 12 (IANS) Prohibitory orders against assembly of people and carrying weapons were issued across Haryana Thursday to deal with any situation resulting due to the build-up of tension over the release of controversial film "MSG - the Messenger" Friday.
Security across Haryana and Chandigarh was tightened Thursday with police and paramilitary forces manning sensitive areas.
Sikh organisations held protests in some places in Haryana Thursday.
Prohibitory orders were issued by the authorities in various districts of Haryana to prevent any untoward incident as Sikh groups in Haryana and Chandigarh are opposing the film's release.
The film features Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Haryana Director General of Police Yashpal Singal urged people to maintain law and order.
"All range inspectors general, police commissioners, superintendents of police and station house officers have been directed to make proper arrangements of security in all cinema halls in their respective districts.
"Section 144 has been imposed in various districts and additional police personnel have been deployed in all cinema halls," Singhal said.
The authorities have banned holding of any procession or demonstration without permission.
The Punjab government had banned the release of the film last month.
After being denied a release certificate by the censor board last month, the film got the certificate last week. It is scheduled to be released in over 4,000 screens across India Friday.
Haryana Police officers said here Thursday that the situation was being closely monitored in many parts of the state, especially in Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Gurgaon, Rohtak, Ambala and other districts.
While the Dera Sacha Sauda sect headquarters are located near Sirsa town, 250 km from here, Kurukshetra and some other places house a substantial Sikh population.
The relations between sect followers and Sikhs have not been good in recent years.
Kurukshetra district magistrate C.G. Rajnikanthan, who issued the certificate for release of "MSG - the Messenger" in the district, warned that action would be taken against anyone disturbing law and order over the film's release.
The district authorities have imposed Section 144, prohibiting the assembly of five or more people and carrying of firearms near the theatre, where the film will be released Sunday.
In Chandigarh, security has been tightened around the malls, where the film will be released Friday.
Sikh leaders submitted a memorandum to the Chandigarh administration Thursday seeking a ban on the release of the film. They said the administration would be responsible if anything untoward happened.
The controversial movie was earlier called "MSG" (Messenger of God).
It was to be released Jan 16 but it did not get clearance from the censor board. Various groups had protested against its release at that point in time as well.
The sect leader, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who plays the protagonist in the film, is its director, singer and lyricist, and has been aggressively promoting the film countrywide.
The sect claims the movie is not against any religion or group and is only highlighting social evils.
Mamta Banerjee government will go to Supreme Court for Chhath Puja
The NGT has rejected the plea of the West Bengal government seeking permission for Chhath Puja at Kolkata's Rabindra Sarovar.
AAP government attacks union budget
New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) The AAP government in Delhi Saturday criticised the union budget for keeping stagnant the non-plan grant for the capital - an amount not hiked for 14 long years.The Delhi
Sunny Deol on Gadar 2: Sunny Deol proud of the success of 'Gadar 2', gave credit to daughter-in-law Drisha Acharya for this
Sunny Deol's film 'Gadar 2' has created panic at the box office. He has thanked people from the bottom of his heart for giving so much love to the character of 'Tara Singh'. 'Gadar 2' has achieved a
Captain Miller Collection Day 3: 'Captain Miller' remains strong at the box office, earns so much in three days
Captain Miller Box Office Collection Day 3: Many films have been released this Makar Sankranti. Films like 'Guntur Karam', 'Merry Christmas', 'Ayalan' and 'Captain Miller' were released at the box
Eye Flu: Cases of Eye Flu and Hepatitis A, and E are increasing in Delhi-NCR, keep yourself safe in these ways
Eye Flu: Conjunctivitis, also known as eye flu, is an infection of the eyes that spreads rapidly from person to person. Maintaining a safe distance from people who are infected with this infection is
Two unclaimed bags found in Delhi's Trilokpuri stirred up, Bomb disposal squad on the spot
Police have found two unclaimed bags in East Delhi's Trilokpuri. The police are checking the bag. As soon as the information was received, senior police officers reached the spot. The police have
Kerala government agencies to hire nurses for overseas jobs
Thiruvananthapuram, March 18 (IANS) Two Kerala government agencies will have full rights to take up the recruitment of nurses to overseas countries from April 30, a minister announced on
India China Relations: S Jaishankar said on relations with China, 'Clap does not ring with one hand'
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has slammed neighboring China for straining relations with India. He bluntly said on Friday that China is responsible for the current relations between
Covid: First case of corona reported in Odisha after two and a half years, 15 infected in Gujarat; three cases in Haryana
Coronavirus has started spreading in the country once again. The number of coronavirus infected is increasing in different parts of the country. In Odisha, a new case of Covid-19 was reported after
Taliban demands US $ 3.5 billion: US seized during Taliban occupation, wanted to give to victims of 9/11
The Taliban government of Afghanistan has demanded the US return $ 3.5 billion. This demand has arisen after the decision of the Federal Court of New York on Wednesday. The court ruled that the
