Chandigarh, India - Dera Sachkhand leader Sant Rama Nand whose death in a shooting incident in Vienna triggered large-scale violence in Punjab recently, will be cremated on Thursday with full state honours amid tight security at Ballan near Jalandhar.
Tight security arrangements were put in place on Wednesday in view of his cremation even as the Sikh sect issued an appeal to followers to maintain peace and harmony.
Additional security forces have been deployed to maintain law and order as thousands of followers of the Dera from various parts of Punjab and other states were expected to attend Rama Nand's cremation at Ballan, about 15 km from Jalandhar, Punjab's additional director general of police J P Virdi told.
In an appeal issued by the sect leader Sant Surinder Das, the Dera asked the followers to refrain from indulging in raising any kind of slogans and maintain peace and harmony during the cremation.
Special arrangements have been made at Ballan where people can pay their last respect to the departed leader.
A special chartered plane arranged by the Punjab government to bring the body of the Sant is expected to reach New Delhi Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Dera Sach Khand Ballan chief Niranjan Dass, who was injured in the incident, will also return by the same flight.