Chandigarh: Violence flared in Punjab and Haryana after a special CBI court in Panchkula this afternoon convicted Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case. August 28 was set for the sentencing. Authorities here said Dera followers broke the barricades in Panchkula.
The mob set numerous vehicles on fire, targeted the media and set ablaze an OB van and damaged two others. Many media persons were injured in the disturbances. The district administration imposed curfew in Panchkula after police fired tear gas shells and used water cannons to disperse the agitated dera followers, who clashed with security forces at many places. Paramilitary forces and police this morning had conducted a flag march in Panchkula.
Punjab Chief Minister Capt (retd) Amarinder Singh and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar appealed to the people to maintain peace, law and order and not to take the law in their own hands. Reports received here said violence also erupted in Ferozepur, Mansa, Malout, Moga and Muktsar towns of Punjab. Dera followers set ablaze a power house in Sangrur and Rama Mandi (Bathinda). They set fire to railway stations at Balluana village and Malout. The rioters also set afire Tehsil offices of Lehra and Sangrur, power grid in Khandwal and telephone exchange in Barnala. Curfew was imposed in Ferozepur, Mansa, Bathinda, Malout and Patiala. (UNI)