Violence hits Panchkula over Dera Sacha Sauda chief conviction, 29 dead

More than 200 people have been injured in the violence that erupted in Panchkula where a court convicted the self-styled spiritual leader of raping two women followers in 2002.

His followers went on a rampage as they attacked police, journalists and even destroyed vehicles.

Several OB vans were also damaged by the attackers.

Violence were also reported in Sirsa city of Haryana which is the home base of the religious leader. One person was reportedly killed in the city.

Away from Panchkula, small incidents of violence were reported from Delhi, Rajasthan and Punjab.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar have urged people in the states to maintain peace.

They briefed Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the issue.

President Ram Nath Kovind condemned the violence which hit Punchkula and left 28 people dead.

An official tweet on the President of India's handle said: "Violence and damage to public property after court verdict is highly condemnable; appeal to all citizens to maintain peace #PresidentKovind."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident as  'deeply distressing'.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal tweeted: "I appeal to all to maintain peace & have directed Commissioner of Police to take effective measures to ensure protection of life & property."

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also urged  people to maintain peace.

The Delhi Police said section 144 CrPC has been imposed in 11 districts of Delhi including New Delhi.

The Delhi Police tweeted: "Senior officers of @DelhiPolice are on patrol. Any gathering in light of recent verdict will be treated with zero tolerance."

"In light of recent verdict @DelhiPolice swat teams & reserve forces are on patrol. Request everyone to maintain peace and not fuel rumours," read another tweeted.

The police said sporadic incidents of the violence were reported from the city but situation has been under control.

According to reports, in Delhi, two buses and two train coaches were set on fire by mob.

The  Special Court found Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh guilty of raping  two woman followers in 2002.

The court reserved its order for the quantum of punishment for Aug 28 and the self-styled Godman was taken into custody.

He faces a jail term up to seven years.

The verdict passed by Justice Jagdeep Singh, came amid a heightened tension with massive security forces, including the Army, being deployed ahead of the verdict to maintain peace in case of a sectarian frenzy.

Tens of thousands of Dera followers had started taking to the street since Wednesday, much ahead of verdict, prompting the state Governments of Haryana and Punjab to take an unprecedented security measure to prevent any sectarian frenzy.

The sect claims to have sway over million of people.

The Haryana government imposed an indefinite curfew in Sirsa as a precautionary measure and a 72-hour ban on mobile internet services, except voice calls.

As many as 72 trains have been cancelled in view of the law and order situation.

The Centre has extended its support and provided security in both the states.

All educational institutions in Haryana remained closed and shops businessmen downed shutters.

Twenty columns of army, 53 companies of paramilitary forces and 50,000 policemen have been deployed in what came as an unprecedented preventive measure.

The CBI had filed an FIR against the self-styled God man, accusing him of raping two ‘sadhvis’ (female followers), in 2002 and the case came to trial in 2008.

The CBI move came after the Punjab and Haryana High Court took suo moto action on the basis of a letter written by one of the alleged victims to the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Bajpayee.

On the last day of the hearing, the court had directed Gurmeet Ram Rahim  him to appear before it at 2.45 pm on Friday — when the verdict is likely to be announced.