17 dead,200 injured as Ram Rahim followers go on rampage

At least 17 people were killed and 200 were injured on Friday in Panchkula after violence erupted in the city following conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case, according to ANI. Gurmeet was taken to Rohtak's Police Training College in Sunaria.

"Have talked to Haryana DGP, he says situation is being brought under control gradually," Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said.In the wake of violence after Ram Rahim's conviction, security at Delhi BJP headquarters has also been tightened.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Police has detained as many as 1000 Dera followers, agitating against the conviction of Gurmeet, in Panchkula.The agitating Dera supporters set alight an Income Tax office in Punjab's Mansa.

Northern Railway Spox Neeraj Sharma said that two empty rakes of Rewa Express at Anand Vihar Terminal railway station were set on fire.Police have said that alleged Dera supporters torched a bus in northeast Delhi's Loni Chowk. A bus was also set ablaze near Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital in Delhi.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have appealed to the public to maintain peace after violence in Haryana and Punjab.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had earlier appealed to "all Punjabis to maintain peace and harmony in state". "Won't allow anyone to disturb peace and tranquillity,” he



added.

Punjab and Haryana High Court said properties of Ram Rahim Singh should be attached to pay for the losses due to violence. The High Court also said the senior government officials in Panchkula should be given security by paramilitary forces.

“People have taken law in their hand by resorting to violence,” Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said. "Action will be taken against those who have violated law,” he added. He has asked everyone to remain cautious.

“No one is above law. Appeal people to not believe in rumours and steer clear of people with criminal intentions,” Khattar said.Dera followers turned violent after a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court found Singh guilty of raping two of his women followers.

As many as 600 Army men have been deployed in Panchkula.

Soon, curfew was imposed in Panchkula and security alert was issued for Delhi borders. Curfew has also been imposed in Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa in Punjab.Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said he was keeping a close watch on the situation in the state. He said he has briefed the Union Home Minister about the situation.

After the special CBI court in Panchkula declared Singh guilty of rape, the Dera followers went on rampage and attacked media vans and set Malout and Balluanna railway stations and a petrol pump on fire.