After the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court pronounced Dera Sacha Saudha chief – Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh guilty in a rape case, violence erupted in Haryana and Punjab.
According to an India Today report, three supporters of Singh have lost their lives in the clashes. Dera Sacha Sauda supporters went on a rampage in different parts of Haryana and Punjab including Sirsa and Panchkula.
Besides clashes with police, the cult’s followers indulged in stone pelting, attacking mediapersons and damaging public properties despite heavy security arrangements being in place.
Following the violence, Omar Abdullah, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister took to Twitter and questioned the BJP government in Haryana.
He asked, “Chilli bombs? Pepper grenades? Pellet guns? Do the forces keep those only for protesting Kashmiris?”.
Chilli bombs? Pepper grenades? Pellet guns? Do the forces keep those only for protesting Kashmiris? https://t.co/pToTv37eOG
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 25, 2017
Video Courtesy: YouTube
According to media reports, the supporters of Ram Rahim even tried to torch a school in Rajpura area of Patiala in Punjab. However, the police were able to control the situation.
So far there have been 224 incidents of violence in Haryana. 64 instances of violence have been reported from Punjab.
Yesterday, with tens of thousands of followers thronging Panchkula ahead of the verdict, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had pulled up the Haryana government for allowing the upsurge of Dera sect supporters in Panchkula.
Also read: How Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh became a self acclaimed saviour of the world using cinema as propaganda
Hearing a public interest litigation, Chief Justice SS Saron had directed the Centre to provide adequate security and asked the State administration to ensure that law and order was maintained.
Mobile internet services and data services have been suspended in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh for the next the 72 hours. The decision was taken at a meeting under the chairmanship of Punjab governor VP Badnore.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh sent out a message asking all Punjabis to maintain peace and harmony in the state. He said he won’t allow anyone to disturb peace and tranquility.
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