Ram Rahim verdict: Violence breaks out, 30 dead, curfew imposed
After Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in a 2002 rape case, violence erupted across northern India. At least 30 people are dead and 250 injured. In Delhi, the Rewa Express was set on fire at Anand Vihar railway station. Buses were also set ablaze. Elsewhere, petrol pumps and vehicles were damaged. Journalists were attacked. Dera Sacha Sauda reportedly gave freshly-made bats to supporters.
Delhi, Rajasthan, UP, Jammu on high alert
The borders of Delhi have been sealed. Buses were burnt in Nand Nagri and near Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital. Security has been beefed up in Jammu and UP too. In Rajasthan, prohibitory orders were issued in Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts. Curfew has been imposed in Panchkula, Ferozepur, Mansa, Muktsar, Patiala, Fazilka and Bathinda. Section 144 imposed in UP's Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat, Shamli, Noida and Ghaziabad.
First signs of violence abating after two hours
Two hours after violence broke out, the situation showed signs of abating. Thousands of Dera followers have been pushed out of Panchkula. However, according to reports, supporters in Sirsa refused to budge despite army deployment. Singh has meanwhile been flown to a Rohtak jail.
Attach Dera properties to compensate for damages: HC
The Punjab and Haryana HC asked officials to attach all of the Dera's properties to compensate for the damage. It has also asked the state governments to submit a report on the violence. Meanwhile, the Dera insists they have been wronged. "We will appeal against the verdict. What has happened to all gurus in history has happened to us too," a spokesperson said.
After Jat agitation, another massive failure of the Khattar government
Even as 50,000 security personnel stood guard, they couldn't control the violence from spreading. Home Minister Rajnath Singh called Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar to take stock of the situation. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said they are keeping a close watch. Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah slammed Khattar: "Chilli bombs? Pepper grenades? Pellet guns? Do the forces keep those only for protesting Kashmiris?"
