Ram Rahim Singh Verdict: Dera Sacha Sauda supporters go on rampage

At least 17 persons were killed and over 60 injured after supporters of the Dera Sacha Sauda went berserk this afternoon resorting to large scale violence and arson after the CBI court convicted the sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim of rape and other charges.

Chandigarh’s satellite township of Panchkula, where the judgement was pronounced, was burning and left at the mercy of goons of the Dera who ran amok. The police and local administration completely failed to secure its citizens and their property. Curfew has been imposed in Panchkula, Sirsa and other areas in Punjab till further orders.

Over two dozen vehicles, including at least three OB vans of the media, were set ablaze by goons who had a free run on city roads. Deccan Herald team  too was caught in the melee.

The violence spread to many parts of Haryana and Punjab after which curfew was clamped. At least 6 columns of the Army have been moved in to take stock of the situation.

Even as everyone was sure that Dera supporters will resort to violence in case the verdict goes against Ram Rahim, the government completely failed to prevent the situation. The Dera chief was flown out to Panchkula to Rohtak jail. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Monday.

Today’s large scale violence exposes the inefficiency, intentional or otherwise, of the Khattar-led BJP government in the state, besides that of the state police. It was an intelligence failure as well. There was complete chaos as goons of the Dera on the move set ablaze any vehicle and property that came their way.

There are reports that the hoodlums entered the residence and resorted to violence. In Punjab, an Income tax office and a power house were burnt. Dera followers resorted to heavy stone pelting on the police and media persons.

There were times when the police ran away from the spot. The deployment of 10 IPS officers by the government to tackle the situation was futile given the state of affairs at the ground level.

The Punjab and Haryana Hugh Court in Chandigarh took stock of the situation and ordered the attachment of properties of the Dera to compensate today’s loss and damage. The administration and the police failed on multiple counts which led to this pandemonium today.

Mobile internet and data services in Punjab Haryana and Chandigarh will remain suspended at least till tomorrow. Over 212 trains in the Northern railways have been cancelled. Schools colleges universities markets have been shut.

The situation in violence-hit Panchkula continues to remain tense, although it started to stabilize to some extent as the dust settled. Reports suggest that the death toll has risen to nearly 30 with over 200 injured in few hours of violence.

The police managed to flush out a large number of Dera followers out of the city bounds, something which they needed to have done earlier. Over 1000 have been detained. The government pledges to take action against wrongdoers. But it's now too late.