Despite bad weather, thousands of Dera Sacha Sauda followers blocked rail and road traffic at various places in Malwa for the second consecutive today. They demanded that the film, ‘MSG-2’, featuring dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, be screened in multiplexes and cinemas. Life was hit in many districts as various trains in the Ferozepur railway division were cancelled. At least 12 passenger and four goods trains were cancelled. Hundreds of dera supporters blocked the railway line on Bughipura bypass in Moga and Ferozepur-Fazilka railway line in Ferozepur.
Protesters also blocked all the highways of Moga city. Sources said protests continued in Ferozepur and Gidderbaha towns. A majority of the long-route buses did not ply on national highways in Ferozepur, Moga and Muktsar districts.
A few buses were plying on link roads under tight security arrangements. The AC buses of Orbit Aviations Private Limited and Dabwali Transport Company owned by the Badal family weren’t seen plying in the district.
Dera supporters claimed though ‘MSG-2’ had not been banned in the state, the police weren’t letting multiplex and cinema house owners screen the film, thinking it may disturb the law and order.
A multiplex owner said they did not screen the film, fearing a backlash from Sikh protesters as the dera head had been at loggerheads with radical Sikhs. Many Sikhs have alleged the dera head had hurt their religious sentiments.
A 45-member committee constituted by the Dera Sacha Sauda to hold protests declared they would not lift their blockade unless ‘MSG-2’ was screened in theatres.
Meanwhile, no untoward incident was reported in Moga, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar and Bathinda districts till the filing of this news report.
Patiala: Dera Sacha Sauda followers blocked the Patiala-Sangrur road around 11.30 am today. They said they would not lift the blockade until dera head’s film was screened. The dharna inconvenienced many commuters in the region. All vehicular traffic was diverted to Nabha.