Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 9

Chaos prevailed at Radha Soami Satsang Beas here today after more than 6,000 persons gathered outside the complex to get vaccinated against Covid-19. A large number of people started gathering here after a rumour spread that a vaccination camp for 6,000 persons will be organised at the dera.

I, along with my family members, was waiting here since morning to get vaccinated. The management later informed us that only 1,000 persons will be vaccinated on Sunday. The management should have arranged loudspeakers to make announcements that only 1,000 persons will be vaccinated so that a large number of people waiting outside can return to their homes. — Karanbir Singh, A Follower

The police had a tough time in managing and dispersing the crowd.

According to information, a misleading message went viral among people that around 6,000 followers will be vaccinated at Radha Soami Satsang Beas in Mohali. Without confirming the message, over 6,000 followers gathered outside the dera around 11 am. They were told that the dera had vaccine only for 1,000 persons and it had vaccinated the equal number leaving a sense of resentment among the followers.

Karanbir Singh, a follower, said he, along with his family members, was waiting here since morning to get vaccinated. The management later informed them that only 1,000 persons would be vaccinated today. The management should have arranged loudspeakers to make announcements that only 1,000 persons would be vaccinated so that a large number of people waiting outside could return to their homes.

Another follower, on condition of anonymity, alleged that the management was facilitating near and dear ones and ignoring others. He said he, along with his wife, reached here after they got the news that around 6,000 persons would be vaccinated. Now, the management had closed the gates.

Similar situation

at Phase 4 camp

A similar situation was witnessed in Phase 4 here where a large number of people gathered at a vaccination camp organised by local councillor Rajinder Singh Rana. The police immediately reached the spot to disperse the crowd. The police said they had to face tough time in managing the huge rush. A police officer said they had orders that such gatherings should not be allowed. He said the situation was different here and they could not book them for violating Covid protocol. He said they managed to disperse the crowd.