Rajoana execution: Punjab on high alert, prohibitory orders clamped

Prohibitory orders were clamped and police and paramilitary forces personnel conducted flag marches in parts of Punjab which was on high alert after a Chandigarh court ordered that Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted in Beant Singh killing, be hanged as scheduled on March 31.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 banning Assembly of five or more persons were clamped at various places including Ropar ahead of Punjab Bandh tomorrow called by various Sikh organisations, officials said.

Security forces conducted flag march in the state for the third day today including in Moga, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana to instill a sense of confidence among the residents.

Activists of some Sikh organisations took out a protest march at some places today and raised slogans in favour of Rajoana and demanded clemency for him.

Security around the Central Jail at Patiala, where Rajoana is lodged, has been beefed up by erecting additional security check points and restricting the entry of those going towards the prison side.

Official sources said that only persons with bonafide work are being allowed to proceed towards the Central Jail.

Rajoana, as per a court order, will be hanged on March 31 at Central Jail Patiala.

Incoming traffic from neighbouring states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh was also being thoroughly checked at the inter-state borders.

Security along various national and state highways as also around railway installations has also been beefed.

Security personnel have been deployed in strength in sensitive areas and patrolling intensified to maintain peace and order in the next few days in view of the tension over the issue of death sentence to Rajoana, a Babbar Khalsa militant.

The SAD-BJP government and the Congress in the state have demanded grant of clemency to Rajoana.

Punjab's DGP Sumedh Singh Saini has directed the district police chiefs to take all preventive and necessary steps to maintain peace.

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