At least 28 people were killed today and scores injured in violence that erupted here after angry supporters of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh went on the ramapage.
The supporters of 50-year-old Ram Rahim, who heads the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, took to the streets shortly after a special CBI court in Panchkula held the flamboyant self-styled godman guilty in a 2002 rape case.
"Twelve people are dead and at least 150 are injured," said Vivek Bhadu, Chief Medical Officer at the civil hospital in Panchkula.
More casualties are feared as a stream of ambulances were still bringing in seriously injured people soaked in blood to the civil hospital.
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It was not immediately known if the deaths and injuries were due to police action or violence by Dera followers, which included a large number of women.
Police fired in the air, lobbed tear gas and let loose water cannons on the protesters to quell the violence, which spread beyond Panchkula to many places in Haryana and Punjab.
Curfew was also clamped in Panchkula, a suburb of Chandigarh.
Six columns of Army, comprising a total of 500 to 600 soldiers were deployed in Panchkula.
A reporter of CNN News 18 TV said a steady stream of ambulances was bringing scores of injured people to the hospital, soaked in blood. He described the scene as "war zone." It was not clear if the injuries were due to police action or violence by Dera followers, which included a large number of women.
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"The flow of injured is not stopping," said the reporter in his dispatch, which also showed pictures of vehicles burning.
Curfew has been clamped in Panchkula as Dera Sacha Sauda followers go on rampage after conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Curfew imposed in Punjab's Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa.
The police has also sounded alert in the adjoining districts to ensure spillover of trouble in Uttar Pradesh strict check on the borders.
A prohibitory order under section 144 has also been imposed in the city, they said, adding Chandigarh has already been declared sensitive as thousands of Dera followers have gathered in Panchkula.
The police had earlier said that the situation is absolutely under control. It also requested the media to not sensationalise the issue in "sensitive times". However, the situation has totally gone out of hand .
According to the TV reports, the Dera followers attacked the OB vans and the media present at the situation.
Earlier, the Punjab & Haryana High Court had asked the state goverment to use force if needed and file FIR against leaders if they make provocative statements.
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Many followers tried to block the Chief's convoy in Sirsa. Some of them fainted as the convoy passed, reported ANI.
The Chandigarh Police has warned Dera Sacha Sauda followers of stern action if they try to enter the Union Territory.
Reports of violence on part of bhakts of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh have surfaced the rounds after the special CBI court pronounced the chief guilty of rape.
The quantum of sentence will be announced on August 28, reported ANI. Convicted in a rape case, Singh faces up to seven years in jail.
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With Agency Inputs
