Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh sentencing today, Haryana and Punjab on edge

“Adequate number of women police personnel have also been deployed”, Mohammad Akil said.

Supporters of the the sect have also torched the Malout and Balluanna railaway stations in Punjab, PTI said. Around 52 minor incidents had been reported from the state, with no loss of life or extensive damage anywhere following the announcement of the verdict yesterday.

The Dera chief is now lodged in the Sunaria jail in Rohtak, where the special CBI court judge will be flown from here for the pronouncement of the sentence.

Followers of Ram Rahim, who had gathered in Panchkula adjoining Chandigarh in thousands over the past one week, went on a rampage, hurling stones, vandalising media vehicles and setting on fire several vehicles and Government buildings, moments after the conviction of Ram Rahim in the rape case. Of the 38 people who had died in the violence, 32 were killed in Panchkula and six in Sirsa, he added.

Sirsa: The district administration has relaxed for five hours this morning in the curfew surrounding Dera Sacha Sauda headquarter and around this morning. “SIT will be formed to look into the matter”, DGP B S Sandhu said.

PTI reports that, expecting intervention and political manipulation, the High Court directed the additional solicitor general to make sure law enforcement agencies conduct enquiries without any impediment.

The evacuation of Sirsa headquarters assume significance in the backdrop of Ram Rahim’s sentencing in the rape case tomorrow.

Capt Amarinder, however, expressed grief at the death of seven people from Punjab in Panchkula’s violence.

“People do not have any reason to be afraid as stringent security measures have been taken”, the DC said. “However, the timing can vary”.

ADGP (Law and Order) Mohammad Akil, and IG, CID, visited Rohtak earlier today to review the law-and-order situation and issued necessary directions to security forces. As the court observed, “It appears to be an intelligent way to say that Dera had not done anything”.

Ram Rahim Singh’s security personnel, including Haryana Police and private commandos, were detained in a separate room immediately and later booked for attempt to murder, sedition and trying to prevent police officials from performing their duty.

The action from the AG office came after a video clip surfaced purportedly showing Salwara in lawyer’s robes carrying a suitcase of the Dera head after his conviction.

They departed one by one, under close guard, as spiritual anthems blared from megaphones.