Violence erupts after Dera chief Ram Rahim’s conviction in rape case
25 August, Panchkula (Haryana)
At least 28 people were killed and more than 250 injured in the violence that left a trail of destruction and vandalism in Haryana and Punjab after Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in a rape case by a CBI court in Panchkula Friday.
There are reports of over 100 vehicles damaged
The Dera Sacha Sauda described the court’s verdict as unjust, and said it would appeal against it.
Appealing its followers for peace, Dera spokesperson Dilawar Insaan reiterated that the Dera Sacha Sauda is dedicated to the betterment of humanity.
Our correspondent reports that Dera followers set on fire a grid in Matti and Datewas villages of Mansa. The mob also set on fire a wooden shop near Baluana railway station near Malout in Mansa district.
At Panchkula, police used tear gas shells and fired in the air to disperse mobs who pelted stones and broke barricades. Mobs damaged vehicles on Zirakpur-Shimla road and tried to set ablaze fire tenders in Panchkula.
The power supply at Panchkula and Sirsa has been cut to stop use of the Internet through broadband.
Curfew has been imposed in many parts of Punjab and Haryana.
A video-journalist of a TV channel was injured when his colleagues were attacked by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s followers, moments after the court conviction. Vehicles of media organisations were also attacked.
The mounted police was also pressed into service. Scores of jawans, including 15,000 paramilitary personnel, have been deployed in the sensitive areas across Punjab and Haryana.
Delhi has been put on high alert. Security has been beefed up in the national capital as a precautionary measure. The security in areas bodering Haryana has been heightened.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has appealed to everyone to maintain peace.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has als urged people to maintain peace.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has reacted sharply to vandalism by Dera supporters. The court has ordered attachment of all properties belonging to Ram Rahim.
It has directed recovery of losses caused due to violence from Dera Sacha Sauda.
Army has been called out in Haryana’s Sirsa to control the situation. Curfew has been clamped in the town and internet services continue to remain suspended.
Security has been beefed up in parts of northern India, including New Delhi and Lucknow.
A vehicle was set on fire by a group of unidentified people in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar, the birthplace of Dera chief.
In Delhi, two coaches of Rewa Express stationed at the Anand Vihar Railway Station were torched. Fire department received calls about fires in Khyala, Badarpur, Manglapuri, near the Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital, and Mandoli.
All Metro stations have been alerted. Director General of CISF O P Singh said, vigil has been intensified at stations along Uttar Pradesh and Haryana borders.
three people were arrested in connection with arson in Delhi. Police PRO Madhur Verma said, there was no large gatherings of followers of the Dera chief in Delhi yet, adding that adequate security arrangements were in place to deal with any eventuality.
Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal has directed police commissioner to take effective measures to ensure protection of life and property.
Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for sacking of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal in the wake of mounting death toll in violence.
President Ram Nath Kovind has appealed to all citizens to maintain peace. The President has condemned the violence and damage to public property by supporters of Dera Sachcha Sauda.