Dera Sacha Sauda supporters lift blockade after assurance on MSG-2 film release

CHANDIGARH: Supporters of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda sect lifted the rail and road blockade today after being assured by police and local administration of finding a solution to pave way for the screening of sect leader Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh's film ' MSG-2' in theatres in the state.

In Bathinda, the district administration heaved a sigh of relief in the early hours today when a large number of Dera followers ended their two-day protest after assurance by the local authorities that a solution will be found over the next 2-3 days for the screening of the film.

A posse of police force was deployed in the area, where protesters, including women, had been squatting on tracks since Saturday.

In Moga, the blockade was lifted after Senior Superintendent of Police Charanjit Singh assured the protestors that a solution would be found by the government on the "non-screening" of the film by the theatre owners.

A Dera follower said, "We will wait for the next 2-3 days and if the movie is still not shown in theatres then we will decide the next line of action," he said.

In Ferozepur and Sangrur, the blockade was lifted after similar assurances by the authorities.

The protesters have claimed that although no ban has been imposed, yet many owners of multiplexes and cinemas in the state are not showing the film, as the sect leader's first film in January had witnessed a backlash by Sikhs.

Earlier, tension had prevailed due to protests by Dera followers in several places, including Moga, Bathinda, Ferozepur and Sangrur, keeping security personnel on their toes.

Yesterday, several trains including six express/mail and 27 passenger trains in Ferozepur division were cancelled, causing inconvenience to the commuters.

The film is a sequel to 'MSG: The Messenger of God' which was banned by Punjab government in January following protests.

The state police had asked all District Police Chiefs to ascertain whether the release of the film will pose any threat to law and order in the state.

MSG-2 has hit over 2000 screens across the country last Friday. The film's overseas release is slated for the next week.